Philosophia pia, or, A discourse of the religious temper and tendencies of the experimental philosophy which is profest by the Royal Society to which is annext a recommendation and defence of reason in the affairs of religion / by Jos. Glanvill ...
         Glanvill, Joseph, 1636-1680.
      
       
         
           1671
        
      
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             Philosophia pia, or, A discourse of the religious temper and tendencies of the experimental philosophy which is profest by the Royal Society to which is annext a recommendation and defence of reason in the affairs of religion / by Jos. Glanvill ...
             Glanvill, Joseph, 1636-1680.
          
           [6], 234 p.
           
             Printed by J. Macock for James Collins ...,
             London :
             1671.
          
           
             "Logou thrēskeia, or, A reasonable recommendation and defence of reason in the affiars of religion" has special t.p. with imprint: London : printed by J.M. for James Collins, 1670.
             Reproduction of original in British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Philosophy and religion -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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             PHILOSOPHIA
             PIA
          
           ;
           OR
           ,
           A
           DISCOURSE
           OF
           THE
           Religious
           Temper
           ,
           and
           Tendencies
           OF
           THE
           Experimental
           Philosophy
           ,
           Which
           is
           profest
           By
           the
           
             ROYAL
             SOCIETY
          
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           is
           annext
        
         
           A
           Recommendation
           ,
           and
           Defence
           of
           Reason
           in
           the
           Affairs
           of
           Religion
           .
        
         
           By
           
             Jos.
             Glanvill
          
           Rector
           of
           Bath
           ,
           and
           Fellow
           of
           the
           
             ROYAL
             SOCIETY
          
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             J
             Macock
          
           for
           
             James
             Collins
          
           at
           the
           Kings-Arms
           in
           
             Ludgate
             street
          
           near
           the
           West
           end
           of
           
             S.
             Pauls
          
           ,
           and
           at
           his
           Shop
           at
           the
           Kings-Head
           in
           Westminster-Hall
           .
           1671.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           Right
           Reverend
           Father
           in
           God
           SETH
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           Sarum
           .
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Expect
           that
           this
           Discourse
           which
           I
           here
           offer
           to
           your
           Lordship
           should
           meet
           with
           A●…madverters
           ;
           as
           soon
           as
           it
           peeps
           into
           the
           World
           ;
           And
           if
           it
           be
           not
           encountred
           with
           rude
           ,
           and
           Ruffian-like
           oppositions
           ,
           it
           will
           fare
           better
           than
           some
           other
           Papers
           of
           mine
           whose
           designs
           were
           as
           harmless
           ,
           and
           inoffensive
           .
           But
           whatever
           befals
           these
           
           sheets
           ,
           my
           Assailants
           shall
           sind
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           none
           of
           those
           mean
           Spirits
           that
           will
           so
           easily
           be
           Hector'd
           into
           a
           Non-plus
           :
           No
           ,
           but
           since
           my
           ingaging
           in
           such
           a
           Cause
           ,
           makes
           them
           angry
           ;
           I
           shall
           yet
           provoke
           them
           more
           ;
           for
           I
           laugh
           at
           their
           
             vain
             boastings
          
           ,
           and
           despise
           their
           feeble
           malice
           .
           I
           invoke
           not
           your
           Lordships
           Patronage
           by
           this
           Address
           ;
           If
           I
           be
           in
           the
           right
           ,
           Truth
           will
           defend
           it self
           ;
           If
           not
           ,
           't
           is
           in
           vain
           to
           sollicite
           Patrons
           .
           But
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           I
           prefix
           your
           Name
           ,
           that
           those
           may
           blush
           ,
           who
           suspect
           the
           
             Practical
             Philosophy
          
           to
           be
           an
           Enemy
           to
           Religion
           ;
           And
           since
           custom
           hath
           made
           this
           a
           Testimony
           of
           Respect
           ,
           I
           do
           it
           also
           to
           declare
           that
           I
           am
           ,
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
           
             Your
             Lordships
             most
             humble
             Honourer
             and
             Servant
             ,
             Jos.
             Glanvill
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           THe
           following
           Discourse
           was
           first
           sent
           abroad
           incognito
           ,
           and
           I
           had
           thoughts
           that
           it
           should
           so
           have
           continued
           ;
           But
           my
           Book-seller
           desiring
           another
           Impression
           of
           it
           ,
           hath
           perswaded
           me
           to
           let
           it
           be
           annext
           to
           the
           former
           Discourse
           ;
           to
           which
           I
           was
           the
           easier
           induced
           ,
           because
           the
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           Designs
           are
           of
           kin
           .
           In
           the
           other
           Treatise
           I
           now
           ,
           and
           then
           refer
           to
           this
           ,
           and
           quore
           some
           things
           from
           it
           ,
           which
           need
           not
           have
           been
           done
           ,
           if
           I
           had
           thought
           of
           putting
           them
           abroad
           together
           ,
           as
           I
           did
           not
           ,
           when
           I
           writ
           that
           Essay
           .
        
         
         
           This
           ,
           that
           follows
           ,
           was
           a
           
             Visitation
             Sermon
          
           ;
           I
           printed
           it
           for
           a
           reason
           I
           would
           mention
           ,
           but
           then
           I
           must
           write
           more
           than
           I
           am
           disposed
           to
           do
           at
           present
           ▪
           It
           found
           better
           Acceptance
           among
           wise
           ,
           and
           considering
           men
           ,
           than
           I
           expected
           :
           If
           my
           Reader
           bring
           capacity
           to
           it
           ,
           I
           desire
           he
           would
           consider
           it
           attentively
           too
           ,
           for
           I
           would
           not
           have
           it
           looked
           on
           as
           a
           
             loose
             Harangue
          
           to
           be
           run
           over
           in
           haste
           ;
           but
           as
           a
           Discourse
           that
           contains
           some
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           I
           phansie
           may
           serve
           many
           purposes
           of
           Religion
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
             
             
               THE
               GLORY
               of
               GOD
               IN
               HIS
               WORKS
               .
            
             
               
                 Introduction
                 .
              
               
                 IT
                 is
                 the
                 perverse
                 opinion
                 of
                 hasty
                 ,
                 inconsiderate
                 Men
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 study
                 of
                 Nature
                 is
                 prejudicial
                 to
                 the
                 interests
                 of
                 Religion
                 ;
                 And
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 very
                 zealous
                 ,
                 and
                 little
                 wise
                 ,
                 endeavour
                 to
                 render
                 the
                 Naturalist
                 suspected
                 of
                 holding
                 secret
                 correspondence
                 with
                 the
                 Atheist
                 :
                 which
                 
                 things
                 ,
                 if
                 really
                 they
                 were
                 so
                 ,
                 't
                 were
                 fit
                 that
                 the
                 writings
                 of
                 Philosophers
                 should
                 be
                 sent
                 after
                 the
                 Books
                 of
                 curious
                 Arts
                 ,
                 that
                 were
                 voted
                 to
                 Destruction
                 by
                 Apostolick
                 Authority
                 and
                 Zeal
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 were
                 they
                 all
                 laid
                 together
                 in
                 a
                 fired
                 heap
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 Drop
                 from
                 my
                 Finger
                 would
                 quench
                 the
                 Flames
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 let
                 fall
                 that
                 Drop
                 .
                 But
                 't
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 hoped
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 such
                 guilt
                 ,
                 or
                 danger
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 ;
                 we
                 may
                 suppose
                 rather
                 ,
                 that
                 those
                 unkind
                 surmisals
                 concerning
                 
                   natural
                   wisdom
                
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 effects
                 of
                 
                   super●…ious
                   ignorance
                
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 I
                 doubt
                 they
                 are
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 reliques
                 of
                 
                   that
                   Barbarism
                
                 ,
                 that
                 made
                 Heresie
                 of
                 Greek
                 and
                 Hebrew
                 ,
                 and
                 Magick
                 of
                 all
                 Mathematical
                 endeavours
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 were
                 this
                 gross
                 conceit
                 about
                 the
                 Knowledge
                 of
                 
                   Nature
                   ▪
                
                 
                 only
                 the
                 fear
                 ,
                 and
                 fancy
                 of
                 the
                 meer
                 vulgar
                 ,
                 it
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 pardon'd
                 easily
                 ,
                 and
                 lightly
                 to
                 be
                 consider'd
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 worst
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 infection
                 of
                 the
                 weak
                 jealousie
                 hath
                 spread
                 it self
                 among
                 some
                 of
                 those
                 
                   whose
                   Lips
                   should
                   preserve
                   knowledge
                
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 I
                 doubt
                 ,
                 divers
                 of
                 the
                 Instructors
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 who
                 should
                 endeavour
                 to
                 deliver
                 them
                 from
                 the
                 vain
                 images
                 of
                 fancy
                 ,
                 that
                 foment
                 those
                 fears
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 imaginations
                 ,
                 and
                 theirs
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 such
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 others
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 Conviction
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 endeavour
                 to
                 justisie
                 
                   sober
                   Inquisitions
                
                 into
                 
                   Gods
                   Works
                
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 shew
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 only
                 innocent
                 ,
                 but
                 very
                 useful
                 in
                 most
                 of
                 the
                 affairs
                 wherein
                 Religion
                 is
                 concerned
                 .
                 This
                 I
                 shall
                 do
                 under
                 these
                 four
                 General
                 Heads
                 .
              
               
                 
                 
                   (
                   I.
                   )
                   That
                   God
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   praised
                   for
                   his
                   Works
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   That
                   his
                   Works
                   are
                   to
                   be
                   studied
                   by
                   those
                   that
                   would
                   praise
                   him
                   for
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   III.
                   )
                   That
                   the
                   study
                   of
                   Nature
                   ,
                   and
                   Gods
                   Works
                   ,
                   is
                   very
                   serviceable
                   to
                   Religion
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   IV
                   )
                   That
                   the
                   Ministers
                   and
                   Professors
                   of
                   Religion
                   ought
                   not
                   to
                   discourage
                   ,
                   but
                   promote
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   Nature
                   and
                   the
                   Works
                   of
                   it's
                   Author
                   .
                
              
               
                 I
                 shall
                 speak
                 of
                 these
                 in
                 their
                 order
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 
                   That
                   God
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   praised
                   ,
                   and
                   particularly
                   for
                   his
                   Works
                   .
                   (
                   I.
                   )
                   
                     He
                     directs
                     to
                     his
                  
                   Works
                   ,
                   
                     for
                     demonstrations
                     of
                     his
                  
                   Magni●…icence
                   and
                   Glory
                   .
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   
                     Holy
                     men
                     gather
                     instances
                     of
                     acknowledgment
                     from
                     the
                  
                   Creatures
                   ,
                   
                     when
                     they
                     would
                  
                   praise
                   
                     their
                     Creator
                  
                   .
                   (
                   III
                   )
                   God
                   sanc●…ed
                   
                     a
                     day
                  
                   for
                   the
                   Celebration
                   
                     of
                     his
                  
                   Works
                   .
                   That
                   Gods
                   Works
                   are
                   to
                   be
                   studied
                   by
                   those
                   that
                   would
                   praise
                   him
                   for
                   them
                   .
                   That
                   the
                   study
                   of
                   nature
                   ,
                   and
                   Gods
                   Works
                   ,
                   is
                   very
                   s●…viceable
                   to
                   Religion
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   I.
                   
                
                 
                   THe
                   FIRST
                   contains
                   two
                   things
                   ,
                   
                     viz.
                     That
                     God
                     is
                     
                     to
                     be
                     praised
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   
                     particularly
                     for
                     his
                     Works
                  
                   .
                   The
                   former
                   is
                   the
                   constant
                   voice
                   of
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   and
                   Universal
                   Nature
                   ;
                   
                     He
                     is
                     wor●…y
                     to
                     be
                     praised
                     ,
                  
                   saith
                   the
                   Kingly
                   Prophet
                   ,
                   2
                   Sam.
                   xxii
                   .
                   4.
                   
                   
                     Greatly
                     to
                     be
                     praised
                  
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   same
                   Royal
                   Saint
                   ,
                   1
                   Chron.
                   xvi
                   .
                   25.
                   
                   We
                   are
                   to
                   offer
                   him
                   the
                   
                     sacrifice
                     of
                     praise
                  
                   ,
                   Heb.
                   xiii
                   .
                   15.
                   
                   And
                   are
                   encouraged
                   to
                   do
                   so
                   ,
                   because
                   ,
                   
                     It
                     is
                     good
                     to
                     sing
                     praises
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   
                     praise
                     is
                     comely
                     for
                     the
                     upright
                     ,
                  
                   Psalm
                   cxlvii
                   .
                   and
                   Psalm
                   xxxiii
                   .
                   To
                   recite
                   all
                   the
                   particular
                   recommends
                   and
                   commands
                   of
                   this
                   duty
                   were
                   endless
                   ,
                   I
                   only
                   mention
                   the
                   next
                   to
                   my
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   and
                   adde
                   ,
                
                 
                   That
                   Nature
                   saith
                   the
                   same
                   ,
                   That
                   praise
                   is
                   the
                   tribute
                   that
                   is
                   due
                   to
                   the
                   Author
                   of
                   our
                   beings
                   ;
                   And
                   we
                   can
                   offer
                   him
                   nothing
                   less
                   ,
                   
                   and
                   in
                   a
                   manner
                   nothing
                   else
                   .
                   All
                   the
                   world
                   have
                   been
                   unanimous
                   in
                   this
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   rudest
                   part
                   of
                   mankind
                   ,
                   have
                   owned
                   the
                   dueness
                   of
                   praise
                   and
                   devout
                   acknowledgment
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   the
                   other
                   branch
                   is
                   as
                   clear
                   ,
                   That
                   
                     God
                     is
                     to
                     be
                     praised
                     particularly
                     for
                     his
                     Works
                  
                   ;
                   For
                   in
                   these
                   we
                   have
                   very
                   full
                   discoveries
                   of
                   his
                   Perfections
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   Mercies
                   ,
                   the
                   most
                   proper
                   subjects
                   for
                   our
                   praises
                   .
                   But
                   here
                   I
                   must
                   be
                   more
                   large
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   propose
                   the
                   following
                   things
                   to
                   be
                   consider'd
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   I.
                   )
                   When
                   God
                   himself
                   would
                   represent
                   his
                   own
                   Magnificenc●…
                   and
                   Glory
                   ,
                   he
                   directs
                   us
                   to
                   his
                   Works
                   .
                   He
                   illustrates
                   his
                   Greatness
                   to
                   Job
                   ,
                   by
                   instancing
                   the
                   wonders
                   of
                   his
                   Creatures
                   :
                   Among
                   whom
                   we
                   are
                   sent
                   to
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                   
                   and
                   Ocean
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   Clouds
                   ,
                   and
                   rain
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   light
                   ,
                   and
                   heavenly
                   influence
                   ,
                   to
                   Behemoth
                   ,
                   and
                   Leviathan
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   Ostrich
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Eagle
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   other
                   furniture
                   of
                   Land
                   ,
                   and
                   Air
                   ,
                   and
                   Seas
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   4
                   last
                   Chapters
                   of
                   that
                   Book
                   ;
                   in
                   all
                   these
                   are
                   the
                   marks
                   of
                   his
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   Greatness
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   are
                   no
                   less
                   so
                   of
                   his
                   Wisdom
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   Goodness
                   ;
                   For
                   
                     in
                     wisdom
                     he
                     hath
                     made
                     them
                     all
                     ,
                  
                   Psal.
                   civ
                   .
                   and
                   the
                   
                     Earth
                     is
                     full
                     of
                     his
                     goodness
                     ,
                  
                   Psal.
                   cxix
                   .
                   54.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   AND
                   again
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   when
                   devout
                   and
                   holy
                   men
                   would
                   quicken
                   their
                   own
                   souls
                   ,
                   and
                   those
                   of
                   others
                   ,
                   to
                   praise
                   him
                   ,
                   they
                   use
                   the
                   same
                   method
                   ,
                   and
                   send
                   abroad
                   their
                   thoughts
                   among
                   the
                   Creatures
                   
                   to
                   gather
                   instances
                   of
                   acknowledgment
                   .
                   Thus
                   Elihu
                   in
                   Job
                   magnifieth
                   his
                   Power
                   by
                   the
                   lightning
                   ,
                   and
                   Thunder
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   Snow
                   ,
                   and
                   Rain
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   whirlwinds
                   of
                   the
                   North
                   ,
                   and
                   Cold
                   of
                   the
                   South
                   ,
                   and
                   calls
                   upon
                   his
                   afflicted
                   friend
                   to
                   
                     remember
                     to
                     magnifie
                     his
                     Works
                     that
                     men
                     behold
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   again
                   bids
                   him
                   stand
                   still
                   ,
                   and
                   consider
                   the
                   
                     wondrous
                     Works
                     of
                     God
                  
                   ,
                   Job
                   xxxvi
                   .
                   and
                   xxxvii
                   .
                   Chapters
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   Psalmist
                   upon
                   the
                   same
                   account
                   urgeth
                   his
                   soul
                   to
                   bless
                   his
                   Maker
                   for
                   his
                   Majesty
                   ,
                   and
                   Honour
                   disclosed
                   in
                   the
                   natural
                   wonders
                   of
                   the
                   heavens
                   ,
                   and
                   earth
                   ,
                   the
                   winds
                   ,
                   and
                   waters
                   ,
                   the
                   springs
                   ,
                   and
                   grass
                   ,
                   the
                   Trees
                   ,
                   and
                   Hills
                   ,
                   Psalm
                   civ
                   .
                   throughout
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   gives
                   particular
                   thanks
                   again
                   ,
                   cxxxvi
                   .
                   Psalm
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   discoveries
                   of
                   the
                   Divine
                   
                   wisdom
                   ,
                   and
                   mercy
                   in
                   the
                   same
                   instances
                   of
                   his
                   providence
                   and
                   power
                   ;
                   which
                   he
                   further
                   celebrates
                   by
                   calling
                   upon
                   the
                   noblest
                   of
                   inanimates
                   to
                   praise
                   him
                   .
                   Psal.
                   cxlviii
                   .
                   
                     Praise
                     him
                     Sun
                     and
                     Moon
                     ,
                     praise
                     him
                     ô
                     ye
                     Stars
                     and
                     Light
                  
                   ;
                   which
                   creatures
                   of
                   his
                   ,
                   though
                   they
                   are
                   not
                   able
                   to
                   
                     sing
                     Hallelujahs
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   vocally
                   to
                   rehearse
                   his
                   praise
                   ,
                   yet
                   they
                   afford
                   
                     glorious
                     matter
                  
                   for
                   grateful
                   and
                   triumphant
                   songs
                   ,
                   and
                   by
                   their
                   beauty
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   order
                   excite
                   those
                   that
                   study
                   ,
                   and
                   observe
                   them
                   ,
                   to
                   adore
                   ,
                   and
                   glorifie
                   their
                   Maker
                   .
                   And
                   therefore
                   the
                   Prophet
                   runs
                   on
                   further
                   into
                   an
                   aggregation
                   of
                   more
                   particulars
                   ,
                   of
                   Fire
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     Hail
                     ,
                     Storms
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     Vapours
                     ,
                     Mountains
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     Cedars
                     ,
                     Beasts
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   Fouls
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     creeping
                     things
                  
                   ;
                   all
                   which
                   in
                   the
                   same
                   Divin●…
                   
                   Canticle
                   are
                   summon'd
                   to
                   
                     praise
                     him
                  
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   ,
                   we
                   are
                   required
                   to
                   
                     use
                     them
                  
                   as
                   the
                   matter
                   ,
                   and
                   occasions
                   of
                   holy
                   Eucharist
                   ,
                   and
                   thanksgiving
                   .
                   To
                   these
                   I
                   adde
                   ,
                
                 
                   (
                   III.
                   )
                   That
                   God
                   was
                   pleased
                   to
                   sanctifie
                   a
                   
                     solemn
                     day
                  
                   for
                   the
                   celebration
                   of
                   his
                   Works
                   .
                   He
                   appointed
                   a
                   Sabbath
                   for
                   rest
                   ,
                   and
                   contemplation
                   to
                   himself
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   praise
                   and
                   acknowledgment
                   to
                   us
                   ;
                   and
                   his
                   
                     making
                     Heaven
                     ,
                     and
                     Earth
                     ,
                     the
                     Sea
                     ,
                     and
                     all
                     that
                     in
                     them
                     is
                     ,
                  
                   is
                   intimated
                   in
                   the
                   Commandment
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   reason
                   of
                   the
                   consecration
                   of
                   
                     that
                     Day
                  
                   ;
                   which
                   was
                   observed
                   upon
                   that
                   account
                   among
                   the
                   Jews
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   devout
                   Christians
                   of
                   eldest
                   times
                   kept
                   the
                   same
                   in
                   memory
                   of
                   
                     Gods
                     Creation
                  
                   after
                   the
                   institution
                   of
                   the
                   other
                   Sabbath
                   .
                   This
                   I
                   take
                   to
                   be
                   enough
                   for
                   the
                   first
                   Proposition
                   ,
                   
                   viz.
                   That
                   God
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   praised
                   for
                   his
                   Works
                   .
                   I
                   descend
                   to
                   the
                   second
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   ,
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   III.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   
                     THat
                     his
                     Works
                     are
                     to
                     be
                     studied
                     by
                     those
                     that
                     would
                     praise
                     him
                     for
                     them
                     .
                  
                   We
                   are
                   commanded
                   to
                   
                     sing
                     praises
                     with
                     understanding
                  
                   ,
                   Psal.
                   xl
                   .
                   7.
                   and
                   the
                   offering
                   he
                   requires
                   ,
                   is
                   that
                   of
                   a
                   
                     reasonable
                     service
                  
                   .
                   His
                   Works
                   receive
                   but
                   little
                   glory
                   from
                   the
                   
                     rude
                     wonder
                  
                   of
                   the
                   ignorant
                   ;
                   and
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   wise
                   man
                   that
                   values
                   the
                   applauses
                   of
                   a
                   
                     blind
                     admiration
                  
                   .
                   No
                   one
                   can
                   give
                   God
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   his
                   Providences
                   ,
                   that
                   lets
                   them
                   pass
                   by
                   him
                   unobserv'd
                   ;
                   nor
                   can
                   he
                   render
                   due
                   acknowledgments
                   to
                   his
                   word
                   ,
                   that
                   doth
                   not
                   
                     search
                     the
                  
                   
                   Scriptures
                   :
                   'T
                   is
                   alike
                   impossible
                   to
                   praise
                   the
                   Almighty
                   ,
                   as
                   we
                   ought
                   ,
                   for
                   his
                   Works
                   ,
                   while
                   we
                   carelesly
                   regard
                   them
                   .
                   We
                   are
                   commanded
                   to
                   search
                   for
                   wisdom
                   ,
                   as
                   for
                   
                     hidden
                     Treasure
                  
                   .
                   It
                   lies
                   not
                   exposed
                   in
                   the
                   common
                   ways
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   chief
                   wonders
                   of
                   divine
                   art
                   ,
                   and
                   goodness
                   are
                   not
                   on
                   the
                   surface
                   of
                   things
                   ,
                   layed
                   open
                   to
                   every
                   careless
                   eye
                   .
                   The
                   Tribute
                   of
                   praise
                   that
                   we
                   owe
                   our
                   Maker
                   ,
                   is
                   not
                   a
                   
                     formal
                     ,
                     slight
                  
                   confession
                   that
                   his
                   works
                   are
                   wonderful
                   ,
                   and
                   glorious
                   ;
                   but
                   such
                   an
                   acknowledgment
                   as
                   proceeds
                   from
                   deep
                   observation
                   ,
                   and
                   acquaintance
                   with
                   them
                   .
                   And
                   though
                   our
                   profoundest
                   study
                   ,
                   and
                   inqu●…ies
                   cannot
                   unriddle
                   all
                   the
                   mysteries
                   of
                   Nature
                   ,
                   yet
                   do
                   they
                   still
                   discover
                   new
                   motives
                   to
                   devout
                   admiration
                   ,
                   and
                   new
                   objects
                   for
                   
                   our
                   loudest
                   praises
                   .
                   Thus
                   briefly
                   of
                   the
                   second
                   Proposition
                   also
                   ,
                   
                     viz.
                     That
                     Gods
                     Works
                     are
                     to
                     be
                     studied
                     by
                     those
                     that
                     would
                     praise
                     him
                     for
                     them
                     .
                  
                   From
                   these
                   I
                   now
                   advance
                   to
                   the
                   Third
                   ,
                   which
                   will
                   require
                   more
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   is
                   ,
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   IV.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   III.
                   )
                   
                     THat
                     the
                     study
                     of
                     nature
                     and
                     Gods
                     works
                     is
                     very
                     serviceable
                     to
                     Religion
                     .
                  
                   We
                   commonly
                   believe
                   that
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   God
                   is
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   this
                   ;
                   we
                   say
                   't
                   is
                   his
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   know
                   't
                   is
                   ours
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   
                     divine
                     glory
                  
                   is
                   writ
                   upon
                   his
                   Creatures
                   ;
                   the
                   more
                   we
                   study
                   them
                   ,
                   the
                   better
                   we
                   understand
                   those
                   characters
                   ,
                   the
                   better
                   we
                   read
                   his
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   more
                   fit
                   are
                   we
                   to
                   celebrate
                   ,
                   and
                   proclaim
                   
                   it
                   .
                   Thus
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   
                     God's
                     Works
                  
                   promotes
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   it
                   disposeth
                   us
                   to
                   it
                   ,
                   by
                   keeping
                   the
                   soul
                   under
                   a
                   continual
                   sense
                   of
                   God.
                   He
                   that
                   converseth
                   with
                   his
                   works
                   ,
                   finds
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   the
                   clear
                   stamps
                   of
                   infinite
                   benignity
                   ,
                   and
                   wisdom
                   ;
                   he
                   perceives
                   the
                   
                     divine
                     art
                  
                   in
                   all
                   the
                   turnings
                   ,
                   and
                   varieties
                   of
                   nature
                   ,
                   and
                   divine
                   goodness
                   in
                   that
                   .
                   He
                   observes
                   God
                   in
                   the
                   colour
                   of
                   every
                   flower
                   ,
                   in
                   every
                   fi●…re
                   of
                   a
                   plant
                   ,
                   in
                   every
                   limb
                   of
                   an
                   insect
                   ,
                   in
                   every
                   drop
                   of
                   dew
                   .
                   He
                   meets
                   him
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                   sees
                   ▪
                   all
                   things
                   are
                   his
                   ,
                   and
                   hath
                   an
                   advantage
                   hereby
                   to
                   be
                   instructed
                   how
                   to
                   use
                   them
                   ,
                   as
                   our
                   Makers
                   ,
                   not
                   ours
                   ,
                   with
                   reverence
                   ,
                   and
                   thanksgiving
                   ,
                   with
                   an
                   eye
                   to
                   his
                   glory
                   ,
                   and
                   an
                   aim
                   at
                   his
                   enjoyment
                   .
                   
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   genuine
                   tendency
                   of
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   nature
                   ;
                   if
                   it
                   be
                   abused
                   to
                   different
                   ,
                   and
                   contrary
                   purposes
                   ,
                   
                     Natural
                     wisdom
                  
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   fault
                   ,
                   but
                   he
                   that
                   turns
                   this
                   excellent
                   instrument
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   upon
                   it self
                   .
                   But
                   that
                   better
                   use
                   may
                   be
                   made
                   of
                   it
                   ;
                   and
                   by
                   some
                   is
                   ,
                   will
                   appear
                   by
                   considering
                   particularly
                   how
                   acquaintance
                   with
                   nature
                   assists
                   RELIGION
                   against
                   its
                   greatest
                   Enemies
                   ,
                   which
                   are
                   
                     Atheism
                     ,
                     Sadducism
                     ,
                     Superstition
                     ,
                     Enthusiasm
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Humour
                     of
                     disputing
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Philosophy
                   serves
                   Religion
                   
                     against
                     Atheism
                     ,
                     by
                     shewing
                     the
                     wonderful
                  
                   Art
                   ,
                   and
                   Contrivance
                   
                     that
                     is
                     in
                     the
                     contexture
                     of
                     the
                     effects
                     of
                     Nature
                     .
                     'T
                     is
                     to
                     be
                     suspected
                     that
                     he
                     is
                     an
                  
                   Atheist
                   ,
                   
                     that
                     saith
                  
                   Philosophy
                   
                     tends
                     to
                  
                   Atheism
                   .
                   
                     No
                     Philosophy
                     doth
                     so
                     much
                     assist
                     Religion
                     against
                  
                   Atheism
                   ,
                   
                     as
                     the
                  
                   experimental
                   and
                   mechanick
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   I.
                   
                
                 
                   FOr
                   the
                   
                     First
                     ,
                     Atheism
                  
                   ,
                   I
                   reckon
                   thus
                   ,
                   the
                   deeper
                   insight
                   any
                   man
                   hath
                   into
                   the
                   affairs
                   of
                   nature
                   ,
                   the
                   more
                   he
                   discovers
                   of
                   the
                   accurateness
                   ,
                   and
                   Art
                   that
                   is
                   in
                   
                   the
                   contexture
                   of
                   things
                   .
                   For
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   God
                   are
                   not
                   like
                   the
                   compositions
                   of
                   fancy
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   Tricks
                   of
                   Juglers
                   ,
                   that
                   will
                   not
                   bear
                   the
                   light
                   of
                   a
                   strict
                   scrutiny
                   ;
                   but
                   their
                   exactness
                   is
                   honour'd
                   by
                   severity
                   of
                   inspection
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   admires
                   most
                   ,
                   that
                   knows
                   most
                   ;
                   since
                   the
                   insides
                   and
                   remotest
                   recesses
                   of
                   things
                   have
                   the
                   clearest
                   strokes
                   of
                   inimitable
                   wisdom
                   on
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   artifice
                   is
                   more
                   in
                   the
                   wheel-work
                   ,
                   then
                   in
                   the
                   case
                   .
                   For
                   if
                   we
                   look
                   upon
                   any
                   of
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   Nature
                   through
                   a
                   
                     magnifying
                     glass
                  
                   that
                   makes
                   deep
                   discoveries
                   ,
                   we
                   find
                   still
                   more
                   beauty
                   ,
                   and
                   more
                   uniformity
                   of
                   contrivance
                   ;
                   whereas
                   if
                   we
                   survey
                   the
                   most
                   curious
                   piece
                   of
                   humane
                   ingenuity
                   by
                   
                     that
                     glass
                  
                   ,
                   it
                   will
                   discover
                   to
                   us
                   numerous
                   
                     flaws
                     ,
                     deformities
                  
                   and
                   imperfections
                   in
                   our
                   most
                   
                   
                     elegant
                     mechanicks
                  
                   :
                   Hence
                   I
                   gather
                   ,
                   That
                   the
                   study
                   of
                   
                     God's
                     works
                  
                   shewing
                   us
                   more
                   of
                   the
                   riches
                   of
                   nature
                   ,
                   opens
                   there
                   by
                   a
                   fairer
                   prospect
                   of
                   those
                   treasures
                   of
                   wisdom
                   that
                   are
                   lodged
                   within
                   it
                   ;
                   and
                   so
                   furnisheth
                   us
                   with
                   deeper
                   sences
                   ,
                   and
                   more
                   arguments
                   ,
                   and
                   clearer
                   convictions
                   of
                   the
                   existence
                   of
                   an
                   infinitely
                   
                     intelligent
                     being
                  
                   ,
                   that
                   contrived
                   it
                   in
                   so
                   harmonious
                   ,
                   and
                   astonishing
                   an
                   order
                   .
                
                 
                   So
                   that
                   if
                   any
                   are
                   so
                   brutish
                   ,
                   as
                   not
                   to
                   acknowledge
                   him
                   upon
                   the
                   view
                   of
                   the
                   meer
                   external
                   frame
                   of
                   the
                   Universe
                   ,
                   they
                   must
                   yet
                   
                     fall
                     down
                  
                   before
                   the
                   evidence
                   ,
                   when
                   Philosophy
                   hath
                   opened
                   the
                   cabinet
                   ,
                   and
                   led
                   them
                   into
                   the
                   Jewel-house
                   ,
                   and
                   shewn
                   them
                   the
                   splendid
                   and
                   artful
                   variety
                   that
                   is
                   there
                   .
                   Thus
                   though
                   the
                   obvious
                   Firmament
                   ,
                   
                   and
                   the
                   motions
                   of
                   the
                   Sun
                   ,
                   and
                   Stars
                   ,
                   the
                   ordinary
                   vicissitudes
                   of
                   seasons
                   ,
                   and
                   productions
                   of
                   things
                   ,
                   the
                   visible
                   beauty
                   of
                   the
                   great
                   world
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   appearing
                   variety
                   ,
                   and
                   fitness
                   of
                   those
                   parts
                   that
                   make
                   up
                   the
                   little
                   one
                   ,
                   our selves
                   ,
                   could
                   scarce
                   secure
                   
                   Galen
                   ●…rom
                   the
                   danger
                   of
                   being
                   an
                   A●…st
                   :
                   Yet
                   when
                   he
                   pryed
                   further
                   by
                   ●…mical
                   enquiries
                   ,
                   and
                   sa●…
                   the
                   wonderful
                   
                     diversity
                     ,
                     ap●…ness
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   order
                   of
                   the
                   minutest
                   
                     strings
                     ,
                     pipes
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   passages
                   that
                   are
                   in
                   the
                   inward
                   fabrick
                   ;
                   He
                   could
                   not
                   ab●…ain
                   from
                   the
                   devoutness
                   of
                   an
                   anthem
                   of
                   acknowledgment
                   .
                   And
                   that
                   the
                   real
                   knowledge
                   of
                   nature
                   leads
                   us
                   by
                   the
                   hand
                   to
                   the
                   cons●…
                   of
                   its
                   Author
                   ,
                   is
                   taught
                   us
                   by
                   the
                   Holy
                   Pen-man
                   ,
                   who
                   saith
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   
                     visill●…
                     things
                     of
                     the
                     Creation
                     declare
                  
                   
                   him
                   .
                   The
                   plebeian
                   and
                   obvious
                   world
                   no
                   doubt
                   doth
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   Philosophical
                   much
                   more
                   .
                   So
                   that
                   whosoever
                   saith
                   ,
                   that
                   inquiry
                   into
                   nature
                   ,
                   and
                   Gods
                   works
                   leads
                   to
                   any
                   degree
                   of
                   Atheism
                   ,
                   gives
                   great
                   ground
                   of
                   suspicion
                   that
                   himself
                   is
                   an
                   Atheist
                   ;
                   or
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   
                     that
                     other
                     thing
                  
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Royal
                   Psalmist
                   calls
                   him
                   ,
                   
                     that
                     saith
                     in
                     his
                     heart
                     there
                     is
                     no
                     God.
                  
                   For
                   either
                   he
                   acknowledgeth
                   the
                   art
                   ,
                   and
                   exactness
                   of
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   nature
                   ;
                   or
                   he
                   doth
                   not
                   ;
                   if
                   not
                   ,
                   he
                   disparageth
                   the
                   divine
                   Architect
                   ,
                   and
                   disables
                   the
                   chief
                   argument
                   of
                   his
                   existence
                   :
                   If
                   he
                   doth
                   ,
                   and
                   yet
                   assirms
                   that
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   it
                   leads
                   to
                   Atheism
                   ,
                   he
                   saith
                   he
                   knows
                   
                     not
                     what
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   ●…ct
                   this
                   ,
                   That
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   the
                   order
                   ,
                   and
                   method
                   of
                   a
                   regular
                   and
                   beautiful
                   contrivance
                   tends
                   to
                   
                   perswade
                   that
                   chance
                   ,
                   and
                   fortune
                   was
                   the
                   Author
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   BUt
                   I
                   remember
                   I
                   have
                   discours'd
                   of
                   this
                   elsewhere
                   ,
                   and
                   what
                   I
                   have
                   said
                   for
                   Philosophy
                   in
                   general
                   from
                   it's
                   tendency
                   to
                   devout
                   acknowledgments
                   ,
                   is
                   not
                   so
                   true
                   of
                   any
                   as
                   of
                   the
                   experimental
                   and
                   mechanick
                   .
                   For
                   the
                   Physiology
                   of
                   the
                   modern
                   peripatetick
                   schools
                   creates
                   notions
                   ,
                   and
                   turns
                   nature
                   into
                   words
                   of
                   second
                   intention
                   ,
                   but
                   discovers
                   little
                   of
                   its
                   real
                   beauty
                   ,
                   and
                   harmonious
                   contrivance
                   ;
                   so
                   that
                   God
                   hath
                   no
                   Glory
                   from
                   it
                   ;
                   nor
                   men
                   any
                   argument
                   of
                   his
                   wisdom
                   ,
                   or
                   existence
                   .
                   And
                   for
                   the
                   Metaphysical
                   proofs
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   for
                   the
                   most
                   part
                   deep
                   ,
                   and
                   nice
                   ,
                   
                   subject
                   to
                   evasions
                   ,
                   and
                   turns
                   of
                   wit
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   so
                   generally
                   perswasive
                   ,
                   as
                   those
                   drawn
                   from
                   the
                   plain
                   ,
                   and
                   sensible
                   Topicks
                   ,
                   which
                   the
                   experimental
                   Philosophy
                   inlargeth
                   ,
                   and
                   illustrates
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   then
                   gives
                   the
                   grand
                   ,
                   and
                   most
                   convictive
                   assurance
                   of
                   the
                   being
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   acquaintance
                   with
                   this
                   kind
                   of
                   learning
                   furnishet●…
                   us
                   with
                   the
                   best
                   weapons
                   todefend
                   it
                   .
                   For
                   the
                   
                     modern
                     Atheists
                  
                   are
                   pretenders
                   to
                   the
                   mechanick
                   principles
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   pretensions
                   cannot
                   be
                   shamed
                   ,
                   or
                   defeated
                   by
                   any
                   
                     so
                     well
                  
                   ,
                   as
                   by
                   those
                   who
                   throughly
                   understand
                   them
                   .
                   These
                   indeed
                   perceive
                   sometimes
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   only
                   nature
                   in
                   some
                   things
                   that
                   are
                   taken
                   to
                   be
                   supernatural
                   and
                   miraculous
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   
                     shallow
                     naturalist
                  
                   sees
                   no
                   further
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   rests
                   
                   in
                   nature
                   ;
                   But
                   the
                   deep
                   Philosopher
                   shews
                   the
                   vanity
                   ,
                   and
                   unreasonableness
                   of
                   taking
                   up
                   so
                   short
                   ;
                   and
                   discovers
                   
                     infinite
                     wisdom
                  
                   at
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   chain
                   of
                   causes
                   .
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   if
                   we
                   know
                   no
                   further
                   then
                   
                     occult
                     Qualities
                     ,
                     Elements
                     ,
                     Heavenly
                     Influences
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   Forms
                   ,
                   we
                   shall
                   never
                   be
                   able
                   to
                   disprove
                   a
                   Mechanick
                   Atheist
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   more
                   we
                   understand
                   of
                   the
                   Laws
                   of
                   matter
                   and
                   motion
                   ,
                   the
                   more
                   shall
                   we
                   discern
                   the
                   necessity
                   of
                   a
                   wise
                   mind
                   to
                   order
                   the
                   blind
                   ,
                   and
                   insensible
                   matter
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   direct
                   the
                   original
                   motions
                   ;
                   without
                   the
                   conduct
                   of
                   which
                   ,
                   the
                   universe
                   could
                   have
                   been
                   nothing
                   but
                   a
                   mighty
                   Chaos
                   ,
                   and
                   mis●…n
                   mass
                   of
                   everlasting
                   confusions
                   ,
                   and
                   disorders
                   .
                   This
                   of
                   the
                   FIRST
                   ,
                   viz.
                   That
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   nature
                   serves
                   Religion
                   against
                   Atheism
                   ,
                   
                   and
                   that
                   it
                   doth
                   also
                   ,
                
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 III.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Philosophy
                   Helps
                   Religion
                   
                     against
                     Sadducism
                     ,
                     in
                     both
                     its
                     branches
                     ,
                  
                   viz.
                   
                     As
                     it
                     denies
                     the
                  
                   existence
                   of
                   spirits
                   ;
                   and
                   immortality
                   of
                   humane
                   souls
                   .
                   
                     None
                     so
                     well
                     able
                     to
                     disprove
                     the
                  
                   Sadduce
                   ,
                   
                     as
                     those
                     that
                     understand
                     the
                     Philosophy
                     of
                  
                   Matter
                   ,
                   
                     and
                     motion
                     .
                     The
                     Hypothesis
                     of
                  
                   substantial
                   Forms
                   ,
                   
                     prejudicial
                     to
                     the
                     Doctrine
                     of
                     the
                  
                   Immortality
                   
                     of
                     the
                  
                   soul.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   I.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   AGainst
                   Sadducism
                   .
                   'T
                   is
                   well
                   known
                   that
                   
                   the
                   Sadduces
                   denyed
                   the
                   existence
                   of
                   Spirits
                   ,
                   and
                   Immortality
                   of
                   souls
                   ;
                   And
                   the
                   Heresie
                   is
                   sadly
                   receiv'd
                   in
                   our
                   days
                   .
                
                 
                   What
                   a
                   Spirit
                   is
                   ;
                   and
                   whether
                   there
                   be
                   Spirits
                   ,
                   or
                   not
                   ;
                   are
                   questions
                   that
                   appertain
                   to
                   the
                   disquisition
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   .
                   The
                   Holy
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   that
                   condescends
                   to
                   the
                   plain
                   capacities
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   useth
                   the
                   word
                   spirit
                   commonly
                   for
                   the
                   more
                   subtile
                   ,
                   and
                   invisible
                   bodies
                   ,
                   and
                   't
                   wil
                   be
                   difficult
                   from
                   thence
                   to
                   fetch
                   a
                   demonstrative
                   proof
                   of
                   Spirits
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   strict
                   notion
                   .
                   That
                   there
                   are
                   Angels
                   ,
                   and
                   Souls
                   which
                   are
                   purer
                   then
                   these
                   gross
                   bodies
                   ,
                   may
                   no
                   doubt
                   be
                   concluded
                   from
                   thence
                   ;
                   But
                   whether
                   these
                   are
                   only
                   a
                   finer
                   sort
                   of
                   matter
                   ,
                   or
                   a
                   
                     different
                     kind
                  
                   of
                   beings
                   ,
                   cannot
                   ,
                   I
                   think
                   ,
                   be
                   determin'd
                   by
                   any
                   thing
                   deliver'd
                   
                   in
                   the
                   divine
                   Oracles
                   .
                   The
                   Inquiry
                   therefore
                   belongs
                   to
                   Philosophy
                   ,
                   which
                   ,
                   from
                   divers
                   operations
                   in
                   our
                   
                     own
                     Souls
                  
                   concludes
                   ,
                   That
                   there
                   is
                   a
                   sort
                   of
                   beings
                   which
                   are
                   not
                   matter
                   or
                   body
                   ,
                   viz.
                   being
                   
                     self-motive
                     ,
                     penetrable
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   indivisible
                   ;
                   Attributes
                   directly
                   contrary
                   to
                   those
                   of
                   matter
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   
                     impenetrable
                     ,
                     divisible
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   void
                   of
                   self-motion
                   .
                   By
                   
                     these
                     properties
                  
                   ,
                   respectively
                   ,
                   the
                   distinct
                   nature
                   of
                   spirit
                   and
                   body
                   is
                   known
                   ,
                   and
                   by
                   the
                   same
                   ,
                   that
                   there
                   are
                   spirits
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   strictest
                   s●…nce
                   ,
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   corporal
                   beings
                   .
                
                 
                   Now
                   by
                   stating
                   the
                   nature
                   ,
                   and
                   proving
                   the
                   existence
                   of
                   spirits
                   a
                   very
                   considerable
                   service
                   is
                   done
                   to
                   Religion
                   :
                   For
                   hereby
                   our
                   notion
                   of
                   the
                   adorable
                   Deity
                   is
                   freed
                   from
                   all
                   material
                   grosness
                   ,
                   in
                   
                   which
                   way
                   those
                   must
                   conceive
                   him
                   ,
                   that
                   acknowledge
                   nothing
                   but
                   body
                   in
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   which
                   certainly
                   is
                   a
                   very
                   great
                   dis-interest
                   to
                   his
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   suggests
                   very
                   unbecoming
                   thoughts
                   of
                   him
                   .
                   And
                   by
                   the
                   due
                   stating
                   of
                   the
                   Notion
                   of
                   a
                   spirit
                   ,
                   that
                   silly
                   conceit
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Souls
                     Traduction
                  
                   is
                   over●…hrown
                   ,
                   which
                   either
                   ariseth
                   from
                   
                     direct
                     Sadducism
                  
                   ,
                   or
                   a
                   defect
                   in
                   Philosophy
                   .
                   Hereby
                   our
                   Immortality
                   is
                   undermined
                   ,
                   and
                   dangerously
                   exposed
                   .
                   But
                   
                     due
                     Philosophical
                  
                   disquisition
                   will
                   set
                   us
                   ●…ight
                   in
                   the
                   Theory
                   .
                
                 
                   For
                   the
                   former
                   of
                   the
                   mention'd
                   errours
                   ,
                   the
                   Anthropomorphite
                   doctrines
                   ,
                   that
                   make
                   God
                   himself
                   a
                   corporeal
                   substance
                   ,
                   they
                   cannot
                   be
                   disproved
                   but
                   by
                   the
                   use
                   of
                   the
                   principles
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   ;
                   since
                   let
                   
                   us
                   bring
                   what
                   Arguments
                   we
                   can
                   from
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   ,
                   which
                   speak
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Perfection
                     ,
                     Infinity
                     ,
                     Immensity
                     ,
                     Wisdom
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   other
                   Attributes
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   all
                   these
                   no
                   doubt
                   will
                   be
                   granted
                   ;
                   but
                   the
                   Quaery
                   will
                   be
                   whether
                   all
                   may
                   not
                   belong
                   to
                   a
                   material
                   Being
                   ;
                   a
                   question
                   which
                   Philosophy
                   resolves
                   ;
                   and
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   other
                   way
                   to
                   search
                   deep
                   into
                   this
                   matter
                   ,
                   but
                   by
                   it's
                   aids
                   .
                
                 
                   So
                   likewise
                   as
                   to
                   the
                   Traduction
                   of
                   the
                   Soul
                   ;
                   The
                   Arguments
                   from
                   Scripture
                   against
                   it
                   are
                   very
                   general
                   ,
                   yea
                   many
                   exp●…ions
                   there
                   ,
                   〈◊〉
                   at
                   ●…irst
                   ●…ght
                   to
                   look
                   
                     that
                     way
                  
                   .
                   And
                   therefore
                   this
                   other
                   help
                   ,
                   Philosophy
                   ,
                   must
                   be
                   used
                   here
                   also
                   ;
                   and
                   by
                   the
                   distinct
                   representation
                   which
                   it
                   gives
                   of
                   the
                   nature
                   of
                   spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   matter
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   operations
                   that
                   appertain
                   to
                   each
                   ,
                   this
                   errour
                   
                   is
                   effectually
                   confuted
                   ;
                   which
                   it
                   cannot
                   be
                   by
                   any
                   other
                   course
                   of
                   procedure
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   Philosophy
                   befriends
                   us
                   against
                   Sadducism
                   in
                   the
                   
                     first
                     branch
                  
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   as
                   it
                   explodes
                   the
                   
                     being
                     of
                     Spirits
                  
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   THE
                   other
                   is
                   ,
                   the
                   
                     denyal
                     of
                     the
                     Immortality
                     of
                     our
                     Souls
                  
                   ;
                   The
                   establishment
                   of
                   this
                   likewise
                   ,
                   the
                   Students
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   and
                   
                     Gods
                     Works
                  
                   in
                   all
                   Ages
                   have
                   attempted
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   have
                   prov'd
                   it
                   by
                   the
                   Philosophical
                   considerations
                   of
                   the
                   nature
                   of
                   sense
                   ;
                   the
                   quickness
                   of
                   imagination
                   ;
                   the
                   spirituality
                   of
                   the
                   understanding
                   ;
                   the
                   fredom
                   of
                   the
                   will
                   ,
                   from
                   these
                   they
                   infer
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Soul
                   is
                   immaterial
                   ,
                   and
                   
                   from
                   thence
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   immortal
                   ;
                   which
                   Arguments
                   are
                   some
                   of
                   the
                   most
                   demonstrative
                   and
                   cogent
                   that
                   th●…
                   meer
                   reasons
                   of
                   men
                   can
                   use
                   ;
                   but
                   cannot
                   be
                   manag'd
                   ,
                   nor
                   understood
                   but
                   by
                   those
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   instructed
                   in
                   Philosophy
                   ,
                   and
                   Nature
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   confess
                   there
                   are
                   
                     other
                     demonstrations
                  
                   of
                   our
                   Immortality
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   plain
                   understandings
                   that
                   cannot
                   reach
                   those
                   heights
                   .
                   The
                   Scripture
                   gives
                   clear
                   evidence
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   of
                   the
                   resurrection
                   of
                   the
                   holy
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   is
                   palpable
                   :
                   But
                   yet
                   the
                   Philosophical
                   proofs
                   are
                   of
                   great
                   use
                   ,
                   and
                   serve
                   for
                   the
                   conviction
                   of
                   the
                   Infidel
                   ,
                   with
                   whom
                   the
                   other
                   inducements
                   are
                   nothing
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   deeper
                   knowledge
                   of
                   things
                   is
                   necessary
                   to
                   defend
                   this
                   great
                   Article
                   of
                   Religion
                   against
                   these
                   ,
                   since
                   they
                   alledge
                   
                   a
                   sort
                   of
                   reason
                   to
                   prove
                   the
                   soul
                   to
                   be
                   mortal
                   ,
                   that
                   cannot
                   be
                   confuted
                   but
                   by
                   a
                   reason
                   instructed
                   in
                   the
                   Observations
                   of
                   nature
                   .
                
                 
                   For
                   the
                   
                     modern
                     Sadduce
                  
                   pretends
                   that
                   all
                   things
                   we
                   do
                   ,
                   are
                   performed
                   by
                   
                     meer
                     matter
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   motion
                   ,
                   and
                   cons●…quently
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   such
                   thing
                   as
                   an
                   immaterial
                   being
                   :
                   and
                   therefore
                   that
                   when
                   our
                   bodies
                   are
                   dissolv'd
                   ,
                   the
                   man
                   is
                   lost
                   ,
                   and
                   our
                   Souls
                   are
                   nothing
                   ;
                   which
                   dismal
                   conclusion
                   is
                   true
                   ,
                   and
                   certain
                   ,
                   if
                   there
                   be
                   nothing
                   in
                   us
                   but
                   matter
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   results
                   of
                   motion
                   ;
                   and
                   those
                   that
                   converse
                   but
                   little
                   with
                   nature
                   ,
                   understand
                   little
                   what
                   may
                   be
                   done
                   by
                   these
                   ;
                   and
                   so
                   cannot
                   be
                   so
                   well
                   assured
                   that
                   the
                   
                     elevations
                     ,
                     mixtures
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   combinations
                   of
                   them
                   cannot
                   be
                   at
                   last
                   improv'd
                   
                     so
                     far
                  
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   make
                   a
                   
                     sensible
                     ,
                     reasoning
                  
                   being
                   ;
                   
                   nor
                   are
                   they
                   well
                   able
                   to
                   disprove
                   one
                   ,
                   that
                   affirms
                   that
                   they
                   actually
                   are
                   so
                   :
                   whereas
                   be
                   that
                   hath
                   much
                   inquired
                   into
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   nature
                   ,
                   gains
                   a
                   clear
                   sight
                   of
                   what
                   matter
                   can
                   perform
                   ,
                   and
                   gets
                   more
                   ,
                   and
                   stronger
                   Arguments
                   to
                   convince
                   him
                   ,
                   that
                   it's
                   modifications
                   ,
                   and
                   changes
                   cannot
                   amount
                   to
                   perception
                   and
                   sense
                   ;
                   since
                   in
                   all
                   it's
                   varieties
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     highest
                     exaltations
                  
                   he
                   ●…inds
                   no
                   specimens
                   of
                   such
                   powers
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   though
                   ,
                   I
                   confess
                   ,
                   that
                   all
                   Mechanick
                   inquirers
                   make
                   not
                   this
                   use
                   of
                   their
                   inquisitions
                   and
                   discoveries
                   ;
                   yet
                   that
                   is
                   not
                   the
                   fault
                   of
                   the
                   method
                   ,
                   but
                   of
                   the
                   men
                   ;
                   and
                   those
                   that
                   have
                   gone
                   to
                   the
                   greatest
                   height
                   in
                   that
                   way
                   ,
                   have
                   receded
                   furthest
                   from
                   the
                   Sadducean
                   Principles
                   .
                   Among
                   such
                   ,
                   I
                   suppose
                   ,
                   
                   I
                   may
                   be
                   allowed
                   to
                   reckon
                   the
                   noble
                   
                     Renatus
                     Des-Cartes
                  
                   ;
                   And
                   his
                   Metaphysicks
                   and
                   notions
                   of
                   Immaterial
                   beings
                   ,
                   are
                   removed
                   at
                   the
                   greatest
                   distance
                   from
                   all
                   Corporeal
                   affections
                   ;
                   which
                   I
                   mention
                   not
                   to
                   signi●…ie
                   my
                   adherence
                   to
                   those
                   Principles
                   ;
                   but
                   for
                   an
                   Instance
                   ,
                   to
                   shew
                   ,
                   how
                   that
                   deep
                   converse
                   with
                   matter
                   ,
                   and
                   knowledge
                   of
                   its
                   operations
                   ,
                   removes
                   the
                   mind
                   far
                   off
                   from
                   the
                   belief
                   of
                   those
                   high
                   effects
                   which
                   some
                   ascribe
                   to
                   Corporeal
                   motions
                   ;
                   and
                   from
                   all
                   suppositions
                   of
                   the
                   Souls
                   being
                   bodily
                   ,
                   and
                   material
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   III.
                   
                
                 
                   THus
                   Philosophy
                   is
                   an
                   excellent
                   Antidote
                   against
                   Sadducism
                   ,
                   in
                   both
                   the
                   main
                   branches
                   of
                   it
                   .
                   But
                   then
                   I
                   must
                   confess
                   also
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Philosophy
                   of
                   the
                   late
                   Peripatetick
                   Writers
                   doth
                   rather
                   
                     contribute
                     assistance
                  
                   to
                   it
                   ,
                   then
                   overthrow
                   this
                   dangerous
                   Insidelity
                   ,
                   I
                   mean
                   in
                   what
                   it
                   teacheth
                   concerning
                   
                     substantial
                     Forms
                  
                   ,
                   which
                   I
                   fear
                   tends
                   to
                   the
                   dis-abling
                   all
                   Philosophical
                   evidence
                   of
                   the
                   Immortality
                   of
                   our
                   Souls
                   .
                   For
                   these
                   Peripateticks
                   make
                   their
                   Forms
                   ,
                   a
                   kind
                   of
                   medium
                   between
                   Body
                   ,
                   and
                   Spirit
                   ;
                   Beings
                   ,
                   that
                   depend
                   upon
                   matter
                   ,
                   are
                   educed
                   from
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   perish
                   when
                   they
                   cease
                   to
                   inform
                   it
                   ;
                   But
                   yet
                   ●…rm
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   not
                   material
                   
                   in
                   their
                   constitution
                   and
                   Essence
                   .
                   Such
                   Forms
                   those
                   Philosophers
                   assign
                   to
                   all
                   bodies
                   ,
                   and
                   teach
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   noblest
                   sort
                   of
                   them
                   are
                   sensitive
                   ,
                   and
                   perceptive
                   ,
                   which
                   are
                   the
                   Souls
                   of
                   Brutes
                   .
                
                 
                   If
                   this
                   be
                   so
                   ,
                   that
                   Beings
                   which
                   are
                   not
                   spirits
                   ,
                   but
                   
                     corruptible
                     dependants
                  
                   upon
                   matter
                   ,
                   may
                   be
                   endowed
                   with
                   animadversion
                   ,
                   and
                   sence
                   ;
                   what
                   Arguments
                   then
                   have
                   we
                   to
                   shew
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   not
                   have
                   Reason
                   also
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   but
                   an
                   improvement
                   ,
                   and
                   higher
                   degree
                   of
                   
                     simple
                     perception
                  
                   ?
                   'T
                   is
                   as
                   hard
                   to
                   be
                   apprehended
                   how
                   any
                   of
                   the
                   re●…s
                   of
                   matter
                   ,
                   should
                   perceive
                   ;
                   as
                   how
                   they
                   should
                   joyn
                   their
                   perceptions
                   into
                   reasonings
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   same
                   Propositions
                   that
                   prove
                   the
                   possibility
                   of
                   one
                   ,
                   prove
                   both
                   ;
                   so
                   th●…t
                   those
                   who
                   a●…rm
                   that
                   beasts
                   also
                   
                   are
                   in
                   a
                   degree
                   reasonable
                   ,
                   speak
                   very
                   consonantly
                   to
                   
                     those
                     Principles
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   If
                   then
                   ,
                   such
                   
                     material
                     ,
                     corruptible
                     Forms
                  
                   as
                   the
                   Peripateticks
                   describe
                   ,
                   are
                   sufficient
                   for
                   all
                   the
                   actions
                   and
                   perceptions
                   of
                   beasts
                   ,
                   I
                   know
                   not
                   which
                   way
                   to
                   go
                   about
                   to
                   demonstrate
                   that
                   a
                   
                     more
                     elevated
                  
                   sort
                   of
                   them
                   may
                   not
                   suffice
                   for
                   the
                   reasonings
                   of
                   men
                   .
                   To
                   urge
                   the
                   Topicks
                   of
                   proof
                   I
                   mention'd
                   ,
                   from
                   
                     Notions
                     ,
                     Compositions
                     ,
                     Deductions
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   like
                   ,
                   which
                   are
                   alledged
                   to
                   prove
                   our
                   Souls
                   Immaterial
                   ;
                   I
                   say
                   to
                   plead
                   these
                   ,
                   will
                   signi●…e
                   nothing
                   ,
                   but
                   this
                   ,
                   That
                   humane
                   Souls
                   are
                   no
                   portions
                   of
                   matter
                   ,
                   nor
                   corporeal
                   in
                   their
                   make
                   ,
                   and
                   formal
                   Essence
                   ;
                   But
                   how
                   will
                   they
                   evince
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   not
                   educed
                   from
                   it
                   ,
                   depend
                   not
                   on
                   matter
                   ,
                   and
                   
                   shall
                   not
                   perish
                   in
                   the
                   ruines
                   of
                   their
                   bodies
                   .
                   Certainly
                   all
                   those
                   Arguments
                   that
                   are
                   brought
                   for
                   our
                   Immortality
                   ,
                   are
                   in
                   this
                   way
                   perfectly
                   disabled
                   .
                   For
                   all
                   that
                   we
                   can
                   say
                   ,
                   will
                   prove
                   but
                   this
                   ,
                   That
                   the
                   Soul
                   is
                   no
                   body
                   ,
                   or
                   part
                   of
                   m●…
                   ;
                   but
                   this
                   will
                   amount
                   to
                   no
                   evidence
                   ,
                   if
                   there
                   are
                   a
                   middle
                   kind
                   of
                   Essences
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   not
                   corporeal
                   ,
                   and
                   yet
                   mortal
                   .
                
                 
                   So
                   that
                   when
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   that
                   Philosophy
                   serves
                   Religion
                   against
                   Sadducism
                   ,
                   I
                   would
                   not
                   be
                   understood
                   to
                   mean
                   the
                   
                     Peripatetick
                     ●…ypotheseis
                  
                   ;
                   but
                   that
                   Philosophy
                   which
                   is
                   grounded
                   upon
                   acquaintance
                   with
                   real
                   Nature
                   .
                   〈◊〉
                   ,
                   ●…y
                   leaving
                   this
                   whole
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   of
                   beings
                   out
                   of
                   it
                   ▪
                   s
                   accounts
                   ,
                   (
                   〈◊〉
                   ●…ings
                   for
                   which
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   shadow
                   of
                   ground
                   from
                   Reason
                   ,
                   or
                   Nature
                   ,
                   
                   but
                   plentiful
                   evidence
                   of
                   their
                   non-existence
                   from
                   both
                   )
                   disappoints
                   the
                   Sadduce
                   of
                   the
                   advantage
                   he
                   hath
                   from
                   this
                   needless
                   ,
                   and
                   precarious
                   principle
                   .
                   And
                   by
                   dividing
                   all
                   substances
                   into
                   body
                   and
                   spirit
                   ,
                   without
                   the
                   admission
                   of
                   middle
                   natures
                   ,
                   the
                   Real
                   Philosophy
                   gives
                   demonstrative
                   force
                   to
                   those
                   Arguments
                   for
                   our
                   Immortality
                   ,
                   that
                   prove
                   our
                   souls
                   are
                   not
                   bodys
                   ;
                   and
                   so
                   Sadducism
                   is
                   ruined
                   by
                   it
                   .
                
                 
                   These
                   things
                   I
                   have
                   thought
                   fit
                   to
                   advertise
                   ,
                   not
                   out
                   of
                   design
                   to
                   carp
                   at
                   any
                   
                     particular
                     way
                  
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   ,
                   but
                   for
                   the
                   security
                   of
                   my
                   discourse
                   .
                   And
                   though
                   I
                   have
                   made
                   a
                   little
                   bold
                   with
                   the
                   Peripateticks
                   here
                   ,
                   yet
                   the
                   great
                   name
                   of
                   Aristotle
                   ,
                   to
                   which
                   they
                   pretend
                   ,
                   is
                   not
                   concerned
                   ;
                   for
                   I
                   
                   am
                   convinc'd
                   that
                   he
                   taught
                   no
                   such
                   doctrine
                   of
                   
                     substantial
                     Forms
                  
                   ,
                   as
                   his
                   later
                   Sectators
                   ,
                   and
                   Interpreters
                   have
                   put
                   upon
                   him
                   ;
                   who
                   indeed
                   have
                   depraved
                   ,
                   and
                   corrupted
                   his
                   sense
                   ,
                   almost
                   in
                   the
                   whole
                   body
                   of
                   his
                   Principles
                   ;
                   and
                   have
                   presented
                   the
                   world
                   with
                   their
                   own
                   fancies
                   ,
                   instead
                   of
                   the
                   genuine
                   doctrines
                   of
                   
                     that
                     Philosopher
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   I
                   proceed
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 IV.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Philosophy
                   assists
                   Religion
                   against
                   Superstition
                   ,
                   
                     both
                     as
                     it
                     expresseth
                     it self
                     in
                  
                   fond
                   over-value
                   
                     of
                     things
                     in
                     which
                     there
                     is
                  
                   no
                   good
                   and
                   panick
                   fear
                   
                     of
                     those
                     ,
                     in
                     which
                     there
                     is
                  
                   no
                   hurt
                   .
                   It
                   inlargeth
                   
                     the
                     mind
                     ,
                     and
                     so
                     cures
                  
                   Superstition
                   
                     by
                     bett'ring
                     the
                  
                   intellectual
                   Crasis
                   .
                   
                     It
                     removes
                     the
                  
                   causless
                   
                     fears
                     of
                     some
                  
                   extraordinary
                   
                     effects
                     in
                  
                   nature
                   ,
                   or
                   accident
                   .
                   
                     It
                     is
                     an
                     Antidote
                     against
                     the
                  
                   Superstition
                   
                     of
                     vain
                  
                   Prodigies
                   .
                   
                     It
                     's
                     Antipathy
                     to
                  
                   Superstition
                   ,
                   
                     one
                     cause
                     of
                     the
                     charge
                     of
                  
                   Atheism
                   
                     against
                     it
                  
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   I.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   III.
                   )
                   THE
                   
                     Real
                     Philosophy
                  
                   ,
                   that
                   inquires
                   into
                   Gods
                   
                   Works
                   ,
                   assists
                   Religion
                   against
                   Superstition
                   ,
                   another
                   of
                   its
                   mortal
                   Enemies
                   .
                   That
                   I
                   may
                   prove
                   this
                   ,
                   it
                   must
                   be
                   premised
                   ,
                
                 
                   That
                   Superstition
                   consists
                   ,
                   either
                   in
                   bestowing
                   Religious
                   valuation
                   on
                   things
                   ,
                   in
                   which
                   there
                   is
                   
                     no
                     good
                  
                   ;
                   or
                   fearing
                   those
                   ,
                   in
                   which
                   there
                   is
                   
                     no
                     hurt
                  
                   .
                   So
                   that
                   this
                   Folly
                   expresseth
                   it self
                   one
                   while
                   in
                   doting
                   upon
                   opinions
                   ,
                   as
                   Fundamentals
                   of
                   Faith
                   ;
                   and
                   Idolizing
                   the
                   little
                   models
                   of
                   fancy
                   ,
                   for
                   divine
                   institutions
                   .
                   And
                   then
                   it
                   runs
                   away
                   afraid
                   of
                   
                     harmless
                     ,
                     indi●…erent
                  
                   appointments
                   ,
                   and
                   looks
                   pale
                   upon
                   the
                   appearance
                   of
                   any
                   unusual
                   effect
                   of
                   nature
                   .
                   It
                   tells
                   ominous
                   stories
                   of
                   every
                   meteor
                   of
                   the
                   night
                   ;
                   and
                   makes
                   sad
                   interpretations
                   of
                   each
                   unwonted
                   accident
                   .
                   All
                   which
                   are
                   the
                   products
                   of
                   ignorance
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   
                   narrow
                   mind
                   ,
                   which
                   defeat
                   the
                   design
                   of
                   Religion
                   that
                   would
                   make
                   us
                   of
                   a
                   free
                   ,
                   manly
                   ,
                   and
                   generous
                   spirit
                   ;
                   and
                   indeed
                   represent
                   Christianity
                   as
                   if
                   it
                   were
                   a
                   
                     fond
                     ,
                     sneaking
                     ,
                     weak
                     ,
                     peevish
                  
                   thing
                   ,
                   that
                   emasculates
                   mens
                   understandings
                   ,
                   makes
                   them
                   amorous
                   of
                   toys
                   ,
                   &
                   keeps
                   them
                   under
                   the
                   servility
                   of
                   
                   childish
                   ●…ars
                   ;
                   so
                   that
                   hereby
                   it
                   is
                   exposed
                   to
                   the
                   distrust
                   of
                   larger
                   minds
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   the
                   scorn
                   of
                   
                     Atheists
                     ;
                     These
                  
                   and
                   many
                   more
                   are
                   the
                   mischiess
                   of
                   Superstition
                   ,
                   as
                   we
                   have
                   sadly
                   seen
                   .
                
                 
                   Now
                   against
                   this
                   
                     evil
                     Spirit
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   its
                   Influences
                   ,
                   the
                   
                     Real
                     ,
                     experimental
                  
                   Philosophy
                   is
                   one
                   of
                   the
                   be●…
                   securities
                   in
                   the
                   world
                   .
                   For
                   by
                   a
                   generous
                   ,
                   and
                   open
                   inquiry
                   in
                   the
                   great
                   Field
                   of
                   nature
                   ,
                   mens
                   minds
                   are
                   enlarged
                   ,
                   and
                   taken
                   off
                   from
                   all
                   fond
                   adherences
                   to
                   th●…ir
                   
                   private
                   sentiments
                   .
                   They
                   are
                   taught
                   by
                   it
                   ,
                   that
                   certainty
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   
                     many
                     things
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   that
                   the
                   most
                   valuable
                   knowledge
                   is
                   the
                   practical
                   ;
                   By
                   which
                   means
                   they
                   will
                   find
                   themselves
                   disposed
                   to
                   more
                   indifferency
                   towards
                   those
                   
                     petty
                     notions
                  
                   in
                   which
                   they
                   were
                   before
                   apt
                   to
                   place
                   a
                   great
                   deal
                   of
                   Religion
                   ;
                   and
                   so
                   to
                   reckon
                   ,
                   that
                   that
                   which
                   will
                   signifie
                   lies
                   in
                   the
                   
                     few
                     ,
                     certain
                     ,
                     operative
                  
                   principles
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   ;
                   and
                   a
                   life
                   suitable
                   to
                   such
                   a
                   Faith
                   ;
                   not
                   in
                   doting
                   upon
                   questions
                   ,
                   and
                   speculations
                   that
                   
                     engender
                     strife
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   thus
                   the
                   Modern
                   ,
                   experimental
                   Philosophy
                   of
                   
                     Gods
                     Works
                  
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   remedy
                   against
                   ●…he
                   notional
                   superstition
                   (
                   as
                   I
                   may
                   call
                   it
                   )
                   which
                   hath
                   been
                   ,
                   and
                   is
                   so
                   fatal
                   to
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   peace
                   of
                   mankind
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   Besides
                   which
                   ,
                   by
                   making
                   the
                   mind
                   great
                   ,
                   this
                   knowledge
                   delivers
                   it
                   from
                   fondness
                   on
                   small
                   circumstances
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     imaginary
                     models
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   from
                   little
                   scrupulosities
                   about
                   things
                   indifferent
                   ,
                   which
                   usually
                   disquiet
                   in
                   narrow
                   and
                   contracted
                   minds
                   .
                   And
                   I
                   have
                   known
                   divers
                   ,
                   whom
                   Philosophy
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   disputes
                   ,
                   hath
                   cured
                   of
                   this
                   malady
                   .
                   And
                   indeed
                   that
                   remedy
                   is
                   the
                   best
                   ,
                   and
                   most
                   effectual
                   ,
                   that
                   alters
                   the
                   Crasis
                   and
                   disposition
                   of
                   the
                   mind
                   ;
                   For
                   't
                   is
                   suteableness
                   to
                   that
                   ,
                   which
                   makes
                   the
                   way
                   to
                   mens
                   judgments
                   ,
                   and
                   setles
                   them
                   in
                   their
                   perswasions
                   .
                   There
                   are
                   few
                   that
                   hold
                   their
                   opinions
                   by
                   Arguments
                   ,
                   and
                   dry
                   reasonings
                   ,
                   but
                   by
                   congru●…y
                   to
                   the
                   understanding
                   ,
                   and
                   consequently
                   by
                   relish
                   in
                   the
                   a●…ctions
                   :
                   so
                   that
                   seldom
                   any
                   thing
                   〈◊〉
                   our
                   
                   intellectual
                   diseases
                   throughly
                   ,
                   but
                   what
                   changes
                   these
                   .
                   This
                   I
                   dare
                   affirm
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   
                     Free
                     ,
                     experimental
                     Philosophy
                  
                   will
                   do
                   to
                   purpose
                   ,
                   by
                   giving
                   the
                   mind
                   another
                   tincture
                   ,
                   and
                   introducing
                   a
                   
                     sounder
                     habit
                  
                   ,
                   which
                   by
                   degrees
                   will
                   at
                   last
                   absolutely
                   repel
                   all
                   the
                   little
                   malignities
                   ,
                   and
                   setle
                   it
                   in
                   a
                   strong
                   and
                   manly
                   temperament
                   ,
                   that
                   will
                   master
                   ,
                   and
                   cast
                   out
                   
                     idle
                     dotages
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     effeminate
                     Fears
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   The
                   Truth
                   is
                   ,
                   This
                   world
                   is
                   a
                   very
                   Bedlam
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   would
                   cure
                   Madmen
                   ,
                   must
                   not
                   attempt
                   it
                   by
                   reasoning
                   ,
                   or
                   indeavour
                   to
                   shew
                   the
                   absurdity
                   of
                   their
                   conceits
                   ;
                   but
                   such
                   a
                   course
                   must
                   be
                   taken
                   ,
                   as
                   may
                   restore
                   the
                   mind
                   to
                   a
                   
                     right
                     Crasis
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   when
                   't
                   is
                   essected
                   ,
                   will
                   reduce
                   ,
                   and
                   rectisie
                   the
                   extravagances
                   of
                   the
                   distemper'd
                   
                   brain
                   ,
                   which
                   disputes
                   ,
                   and
                   oppositions
                   will
                   but
                   inslame
                   ,
                   and
                   make
                   worse
                   .
                   Thus
                   for
                   instance
                   ,
                   when
                   frantick
                   persons
                   are
                   fond
                   of
                   Feathers
                   ,
                   and
                   mightily
                   taken
                   with
                   the
                   employment
                   of
                   picking
                   Straws
                   ,
                   't
                   would
                   signisie
                   very
                   little
                   ,
                   to
                   represent
                   to
                   them
                   the
                   vanity
                   of
                   the
                   objects
                   of
                   their
                   delights
                   ;
                   and
                   when
                   the
                   Melancholido
                   was
                   afraid
                   to
                   sit
                   down
                   for
                   fear
                   of
                   being
                   broken
                   ,
                   supposing
                   himself
                   made
                   of
                   Glass
                   ,
                   it
                   had
                   been
                   to
                   little
                   purpose
                   to
                   have
                   declared
                   to
                   him
                   the
                   ridiculousness
                   of
                   his
                   fears
                   ;
                   the
                   disposition
                   of
                   the
                   head
                   was
                   to
                   be
                   alter'd
                   ,
                   before
                   the
                   particular
                   phrensie
                   could
                   be
                   cured
                   .
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   too
                   evident
                   how
                   just
                   this
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   application
                   to
                   the
                   present
                   Age
                   ;
                   Superstitions
                   fondness
                   ,
                   and
                   fears
                   are
                   a
                   real
                   degree
                   of
                   madness
                   .
                   
                   And
                   though
                   I
                   cannot
                   say
                   that
                   Philosophy
                   must
                   be
                   the
                   only
                   Catholick
                   way
                   of
                   cure
                   (
                   for
                   of
                   this
                   ,
                   the
                   far
                   greatest
                   part
                   of
                   men
                   is
                   absolutely
                   incapable
                   )
                   yet
                   this
                   I
                   do
                   ,
                   that
                   't
                   is
                   a
                   remedy
                   for
                   those
                   that
                   are
                   strong
                   enough
                   to
                   take
                   it
                   :
                   And
                   the
                   rest
                   must
                   be
                   helped
                   by
                   that
                   ,
                   which
                   changeth
                   the
                   genius
                   ,
                   which
                   cannot
                   ordinarily
                   be
                   done
                   by
                   any
                   thing
                   that
                   opposeth
                   the
                   particular
                   fancy
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   HOwever
                   I
                   must
                   say
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   sort
                   of
                   Superstition
                   which
                   is
                   yet
                   behind
                   in
                   my
                   account
                   ,
                   and
                   consists
                   in
                   the
                   
                     causless
                     fear
                  
                   of
                   some
                   extraordinaries
                   ,
                   in
                   accident
                   ,
                   or
                   nature
                   ,
                   is
                   directly
                   cured
                   by
                   that
                   Philosophy
                   which
                   gives
                   fair
                   likely-hoods
                   of
                   their
                   causes
                   ;
                   and
                   clearly
                   shews
                   that
                   
                   there
                   is
                   nothing
                   in
                   them
                   supernatural
                   ;
                   the
                   light
                   of
                   the
                   day
                   drives
                   away
                   the
                   Mormo's
                   ,
                   and
                   vain
                   images
                   that
                   fancy
                   forms
                   in
                   obscure
                   shades
                   ,
                   and
                   darkness
                   .
                   Thus
                   particularly
                   the
                   modern
                   doctrine
                   of
                   Comets
                   ,
                   which
                   have
                   been
                   always
                   great
                   bugs
                   to
                   the
                   guilty
                   ,
                   and
                   timorous
                   world
                   ,
                   hath
                   rescued
                   Philosophers
                   from
                   the
                   trouble
                   of
                   
                     dreadful
                     presages
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   mischievous
                   consequences
                   that
                   arise
                   from
                   those
                   
                     superstitious
                     abodings
                  
                   .
                   For
                   whatever
                   the
                   
                     casual
                     coincidencies
                  
                   may
                   be
                   between
                   those
                   Phaenomena
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   direful
                   events
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   sometimes
                   observed
                   closely
                   to
                   attend
                   them
                   (
                   which
                   ,
                   as
                   my
                   Lord
                   Bacon
                   truly
                   notes
                   ,
                   are
                   observ'd
                   when
                   they
                   hit
                   ,
                   not
                   when
                   they
                   miss
                   )
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   notwithstanding
                   these
                   ,
                   the
                   real
                   ,
                   experimental
                   Philosophy
                   makes
                   it
                   appear
                   ,
                   
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   heavenly
                   Bodies
                   ,
                   far
                   above
                   all
                   the
                   regions
                   of
                   vapours
                   ,
                   in
                   which
                   we
                   are
                   not
                   concerned
                   ;
                   and
                   so
                   they
                   are
                   neither
                   the
                   signs
                   ,
                   nor
                   the
                   causes
                   of
                   our
                   mischiefs
                   .
                
                 
                   For
                   the
                   other
                   little
                   things
                   which
                   afford
                   matter
                   for
                   the
                   Tales
                   about
                   Prodigies
                   ,
                   and
                   other
                   ominous
                   appearings
                   ,
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   nature
                   ,
                   by
                   exciting
                   worthy
                   ,
                   &
                   magnificent
                   conceptions
                   of
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   Nature
                   ;
                   cures
                   
                     that
                     blasphemous
                     abuse
                  
                   of
                   the
                   adorable
                   majesty
                   ,
                   whereby
                   foolish
                   men
                   attribute
                   every
                   trivial
                   ev●…nt
                   that
                   may
                   serve
                   their
                   turns
                   against
                   those
                   they
                   hate
                   ,
                   to
                   his
                   
                     immediate
                     ,
                     extraordinary
                  
                   interposal
                   .
                   For
                   't
                   is
                   ignorance
                   of
                   God
                   and
                   his
                   works
                   that
                   disposeth
                   men
                   to
                   absurd
                   ,
                   ridiculous
                   surmises
                   ,
                   uncharitable
                   censures
                   ,
                   seditious
                   m●…chinations
                   ;
                   and
                   
                   so
                   ,
                   to
                   thoughts
                   that
                   are
                   prejudicial
                   to
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   interests
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   security
                   of
                   Government
                   ;
                   to
                   that
                   justice
                   and
                   charity
                   we
                   owe
                   to
                   others
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   happiness
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   love
                   of
                   our selves
                   .
                   To
                   which
                   I
                   adde
                   ,
                
                 
                   That
                   this
                   kind
                   of
                   Superstition
                   is
                   a
                   relique
                   of
                   Pagan
                   ignorance
                   ,
                   which
                   made
                   men
                   look
                   on
                   
                     Thunder
                     ,
                     Eclipses
                     ,
                     Earthquakes
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   more
                   terrifying
                   Phaenomena
                   of
                   nature
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   immediate
                   effects
                   of
                   powers
                   supernatural
                   ;
                   and
                   to
                   
                     judge
                     events
                  
                   by
                   flights
                   of
                   birds
                   ,
                   and
                   garbages
                   of
                   cattel
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   accidental
                   occursions
                   of
                   this
                   creature
                   ,
                   and
                   another
                   ,
                   and
                   almost
                   every
                   casual
                   occurrence
                   .
                   But
                   these
                   particulars
                   have
                   been
                   most
                   ingeniously
                   represented
                   ,
                   and
                   reproved
                   in
                   a
                   late
                   very
                   elegant
                   discourse
                   about
                   Prodigies
                   ;
                   
                   And
                   though
                   I
                   do
                   not
                   acquiesce
                   in
                   the
                   design
                   of
                   that
                   excellently
                   penn'd
                   Book
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   to
                   
                     discredit
                     ,
                     and
                     take
                     away
                     all
                     kinds
                     of
                     presages
                     .
                  
                   Yet
                   I
                   think
                   it
                   hath
                   done
                   rarely
                   well
                   ,
                   so
                   far
                   as
                   it
                   discovers
                   the
                   folly
                   and
                   mischiefs
                   of
                   that
                   ignorant
                   ,
                   and
                   superstitious
                   spi●…it
                   ,
                   that
                   mak●…s
                   every
                   thing
                   a
                   Prodigy
                   .
                   And
                   with
                   such
                   apprehensions
                   as
                   these
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   nature
                   sills
                   the
                   mind
                   that
                   is
                   instructed
                   in
                   it
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   doubt
                   but
                   that
                   the
                   Antipathy
                   the
                   
                     Real
                     P●…ilosophy
                  
                   hath
                   to
                   all
                   the
                   kinds
                   of
                   Superstition
                   ,
                   is
                   one
                   cause
                   why
                   zealous
                   ignorance
                   brands
                   those
                   researches
                   wi●…h
                   the
                   mark
                   of
                   A●…heism
                   .
                   For
                   Superstitious
                   folly
                   adop●…s
                   those
                   paultry
                   trifles
                   ,
                   which
                   Philosophy
                   contemns
                   and
                   reproves
                   ,
                   into
                   the
                   Family
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   stigmatizeth
                   
                   those
                   that
                   despise
                   them
                   ,
                   as
                   enemies
                   to
                   Faith
                   and
                   Piety
                   .
                   So
                   it
                   fared
                   with
                   some
                   of
                   the
                   bravest
                   spirits
                   of
                   antient
                   times
                   ,
                   who
                   have
                   had
                   the
                   black
                   character
                   ●…ixt
                   upon
                   their
                   great
                   and
                   worthy
                   names
                   only
                   for
                   their
                   oppositions
                   of
                   the
                   foolish
                   Rites
                   and
                   Idolatries
                   of
                   the
                   vulgar
                   Heathen
                   .
                   We
                   know
                   the
                   case
                   of
                   Socrates
                   .
                   And
                   as
                   to
                   the
                   interest
                   of
                   their
                   names
                   ,
                   that
                   of
                   
                     Anaxagoras
                     ,
                     Theodorus
                     ,
                     Protagoras
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   Epicurus
                   ,
                   was
                   much
                   worse
                   ;
                   the
                   cau●…ess
                   insamy
                   coming
                   down
                   the
                   stream
                   as
                   far
                   as
                   the
                   last
                   Ages
                   .
                   Since
                   then
                   ,
                   we
                   know
                   who
                   was
                   an
                   Hereti●…k
                   for
                   saying
                   there
                   were
                   Ant●…podes
                   ;
                   and
                   a
                   Pope
                   was
                   taken
                   for
                   a
                   Conjurer
                   for
                   being
                   a
                   Mathematician
                   ;
                   yea
                   those
                   noble
                   Sciences
                   were
                   counted
                   diabolical
                   ;
                   and
                   even
                   the
                   sacred
                   language
                   could
                   searce
                   escape
                   
                   the
                   suspicion
                   .
                   In
                   later
                   times
                   Galilaeo
                   fell
                   into
                   the
                   Inquisition
                   for
                   the
                   discoveries
                   of
                   his
                   Telescopes
                   ;
                   and
                   Campanella
                   could
                   not
                   endeavour
                   to
                   assert
                   ,
                   and
                   vindicate
                   the
                   Freedom
                   of
                   his
                   mind
                   ,
                   without
                   losing
                   that
                   of
                   his
                   external
                   person
                   .
                   I
                   might
                   come
                   nearer
                   to
                   our
                   days
                   ,
                   and
                   knowledge
                   :
                   Gothick
                   barbarity
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   spirit
                   of
                   the
                   Inquisition
                   is
                   not
                   quite
                   worn
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Reformation
                   ;
                   Though
                   the
                   best
                   on
                   't
                   is
                   ,
                   it
                   ordinarily
                   remains
                   but
                   among
                   the
                   scum
                   ,
                   and
                   dregs
                   of
                   men
                   :
                   And
                   no
                   one
                   is
                   either
                   less
                   Religious
                   ,
                   or
                   less
                   wise
                   for
                   being
                   accounted
                   an
                   A●…eist
                   by
                   the
                   Rabble
                   .
                   But
                   where
                   ever
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   Na●…ure
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     Gods
                     works
                  
                   hath
                   in
                   any
                   degree
                   ob●…ain'd
                   ,
                   those
                   vile
                   Superstitions
                   have
                   been
                   despised
                   ,
                   and
                   put
                   to
                   an
                   infamous
                   flight
                   .
                   But
                   to
                   take
                   another
                   s●…ep
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 V.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Philosophy
                   serves
                   Religion
                   
                     against
                     Enthusiasm
                     .
                     Enthusiasm
                     hurts
                     Religion
                     two
                     ways
                     .
                  
                   (
                   I.
                   )
                   By
                   crying
                   up
                   diseases
                   and
                   excesses
                   of
                   fancy
                   ,
                   for
                   heights
                   of
                   Godliness
                   .
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   By
                   the
                   disparagement
                   of
                   Reason
                   .
                   
                     Philosophy
                     discovers
                     that
                     there
                     is
                     nothing
                     but
                  
                   nature
                   ,
                   
                     in
                     the
                     high
                     pretensions
                     of
                     the
                     Enthusiast
                     .
                     The
                  
                   mischiefs
                   
                     of
                     decrying
                  
                   Reason
                   .
                   Philosophy
                   
                     removes
                     th●…
                     fancy
                     of
                     it's
                  
                   enmity
                   to
                   Religion
                   :
                   
                     It
                     improves
                     Reason
                     ,
                     and
                     fits
                     it
                     for
                     the
                     service
                     of
                  
                   Religion
                   .
                   
                     Religion
                     hath
                     received
                     many
                     services
                     from
                  
                   Philosophical
                   
                     Writers
                     ;
                     who
                     have
                     labour'd
                     to
                     prove
                     it's
                  
                   Truth
                   and
                   certainty
                   .
                   
                     Philosophy
                     assists
                     Reason
                     to
                     defend
                     Religion
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   I.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   IV.
                   )
                   THE
                   
                     Real
                     Philosophy
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   knowledge
                   of
                   
                     Gods
                     works
                  
                   ,
                   serves
                   Religion
                   against
                   Enthusiasm
                   ,
                   another
                   of
                   its
                   deadly
                   enemies
                   .
                   Now
                   Enthusiasm
                   is
                   a
                   
                     false
                     conceit
                     of
                     inspiration
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   bold
                   and
                   mistaken
                   pretensions
                   to
                   the
                   Spirit
                   in
                   our
                   days
                   ,
                   are
                   of
                   this
                   sort
                   .
                   What
                   particularly
                   Religion
                   hath
                   suffer'd
                   from
                   it
                   ,
                   would
                   be
                   too
                   long
                   to
                   describe
                   upon
                   this
                   occasion
                   ;
                   It
                   will
                   be
                   〈◊〉
                   to
                   say
                   ,
                   in
                   an
                   Age
                   that
                   hath
                   so
                   much
                   and
                   such
                   sad
                   experience
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   that
                   Enthusiasm
                   ,
                
                 
                   (
                   I.
                   )
                   By
                   crying
                   up
                   the
                   ex●…s
                   ,
                   and
                   diseases
                   of
                   Imagination
                   for
                   the
                   greatest
                   height
                   of
                   godliness
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   By
                   the
                   disparagement
                   
                   of
                   
                     sober
                     Reason
                  
                   ,
                   as
                   an
                   enemy
                   to
                   the
                   Principles
                   of
                   Faith
                   ;
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   by
                   these
                   two
                   ways
                   it
                   hath
                   in●…oduc'd
                   a
                   Religion
                   that
                   is
                   Phantastical
                   ,
                   and
                   made
                   way
                   for
                   all
                   imaginable
                   follies
                   ,
                   and
                   even
                   Atheism
                   it self
                   .
                
                 
                   For
                   the
                   ●…rst
                   of
                   these
                   in
                   order
                   ;
                   The
                   real
                   
                     knowledge
                     of
                     Nature
                  
                   detects
                   the
                   dangerous
                   imposture
                   ,
                   by
                   shewing
                   ,
                   what
                   strange
                   things
                   may
                   be
                   effected
                   by
                   no
                   diviner
                   a
                   cause
                   ,
                   then
                   a
                   
                     strong
                     fancy
                     impregnated
                  
                   by
                   
                     Heated
                     Melancholy
                  
                   ;
                   For
                   this
                   sometimes
                   warms
                   the
                   brain
                   to
                   a
                   degree
                   that
                   makes
                   it
                   very
                   active
                   ,
                   and
                   imaginative
                   ,
                   full
                   of
                   odde
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   and
                   unexpected
                   suggestions
                   ;
                   so
                   tha●…
                   if
                   the
                   Temper
                   determine
                   the
                   imagination
                   to
                   Religion
                   ,
                   it
                   flies
                   at
                   high
                   things
                   ,
                   at
                   interpretations
                   of
                   derk
                   and
                   Prophetick
                   Scriptures
                   ;
                   at
                   predictions
                   
                   of
                   future
                   events
                   ,
                   and
                   mysterious
                   discoveries
                   ,
                   which
                   the
                   man
                   expresseth
                   fluently
                   ,
                   and
                   boldly
                   ,
                   with
                   a
                   peculiar
                   and
                   pathetick
                   eloquence
                   ;
                   And
                   now
                   these
                   pregnances
                   being
                   not
                   ordinary
                   ,
                   but
                   much
                   beyond
                   the
                   usual
                   tone
                   ,
                   and
                   temper
                   of
                   the
                   Enthusiast
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   having
                   heard
                   great
                   things
                   of
                   the
                   
                     spirits
                     immediate
                     motions
                  
                   and
                   inspirations
                   ,
                   cannot
                   well
                   fail
                   of
                   believing
                   himself
                   inspired
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   intitling
                   all
                   the
                   excursions
                   of
                   his
                   fancy
                   to
                   the
                   
                     immediate
                     actings
                  
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                  
                   :
                   which
                   thoughts
                   by
                   th●…
                   help
                   of
                   natural
                   pride
                   ,
                   and
                   self-love
                   ,
                   will
                   work
                   also
                   exceedingly
                   upon
                   the
                   heightned
                   affections
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   upon
                   the
                   body
                   so
                   far
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   cast
                   it
                   sometimes
                   into
                   
                     raptures
                     ,
                     extasies
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   deliquiums
                   of
                   sense
                   ,
                   in
                   which
                   every
                   dream
                   is
                   taken
                   
                   for
                   a
                   Prophecy
                   ,
                   every
                   image
                   of
                   the
                   fancy
                   for
                   a
                   vision
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   glarings
                   of
                   the
                   imagination
                   ,
                   for
                   
                     new
                     Lights
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   Revelations
                   .
                
                 
                   Thus
                   have
                   our
                   Modern
                   Prophets
                   been
                   inspired
                   ,
                   who
                   yet
                   are
                   not
                   to
                   be
                   reckon'd
                   
                     Hypocritical
                     Impostors
                  
                   ,
                   for
                   they
                   infinitely
                   believe
                   themselves
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   strength
                   of
                   their
                   highly
                   invigorated
                   fancies
                   shuts
                   out
                   the
                   sober
                   light
                   of
                   Reason
                   that
                   should
                   dis-abuse
                   them
                   ,
                   as
                   sleep
                   doth
                   that
                   of
                   our
                   external
                   senses
                   in
                   our
                   dreams
                   .
                   And
                   which
                   is
                   worse
                   ,
                   the
                   silly
                   people
                   that
                   understand
                   not
                   nature
                   ,
                   but
                   are
                   apt
                   to
                   take
                   every
                   thing
                   that
                   is
                   vehement
                   to
                   be
                   sacred
                   ,
                   are
                   easily
                   deceived
                   into
                   the
                   belief
                   of
                   those
                   pretensions
                   ;
                   and
                   thus
                   diseases
                   have
                   been
                   worship'd
                   for
                   Religion
                   .
                   This
                   account
                   the
                   Philosophy
                   of
                   humane
                   
                   Nature
                   gives
                   of
                   that
                   by
                   which
                   the
                   world
                   hath
                   been
                   so
                   sadly
                   couzned
                   ,
                   as
                   hath
                   been
                   largely
                   represented
                   by
                   a
                   modern
                   Philosophical
                   Divine
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   when
                   we
                   cast
                   our
                   eyes
                   abroad
                   into
                   the
                   wide
                   world
                   ,
                   we
                   see
                   ,
                   that
                   those
                   glorious
                   things
                   are
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   then
                   what
                   hath
                   been
                   done
                   by
                   the
                   Exstatick
                   Priests
                   of
                   the
                   Heathen
                   Oracles
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Madmen
                   of
                   all
                   Religions
                   ;
                   by
                   
                     Sybils
                     ,
                     Lunaticks
                     ,
                     Poets
                     ,
                     Dreamers
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   Abreptitious
                   persons
                   of
                   all
                   sorts
                   :
                   And
                   we
                   see
                   daily
                   to
                   what
                   degrees
                   of
                   elevation
                   excess
                   of
                   drinking
                   will
                   heighten
                   the
                   brain
                   ,
                   making
                   some
                   
                     witty
                     ,
                     nimble
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   eloquent
                   ,
                   much
                   beyond
                   the
                   ordinary
                   siz●…
                   of
                   their
                   parts
                   ,
                   and
                   ingenuity
                   ;
                   and
                   inclining
                   others
                   to
                   be
                   hugely
                   devout
                   ,
                   who
                   usually
                   have
                   no
                   great
                   sense
                   
                   of
                   Religion
                   ;
                   As
                   I
                   knew
                   one
                   ,
                   who
                   would
                   pray
                   rap●…urously
                   when
                   he
                   was
                   drunk
                   ,
                   but
                   at
                   other
                   times
                   was
                   a
                   moping
                   sott
                   ,
                   and
                   could
                   scarce
                   speak
                   sense
                   .
                
                 
                   Thus
                   also
                   some
                   kinds
                   of
                   
                     madness
                     ,
                     diseases
                     ,
                     accidents
                     ,
                     peculiarities
                  
                   of
                   temper
                   ,
                   and
                   other
                   natural
                   things
                   that
                   heat
                   the
                   brain
                   ,
                   ●…ill
                   men
                   with
                   high
                   ,
                   surprising
                   conceits
                   about
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   furnish
                   th●…m
                   with
                   servid
                   devotion
                   ,
                   great
                   rea●…iness
                   of
                   expression
                   ,
                   and
                   unexpected
                   applications
                   of
                   Scripture
                   to
                   their
                   crasie
                   conceits
                   ;
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   the
                   
                     experimental
                     Philosophy
                  
                   of
                   our
                   natures
                   informs
                   us
                   ,
                   that
                   all
                   this
                   is
                   common
                   in
                   alienations
                   ,
                   and
                   singularities
                   of
                   mind
                   ,
                   and
                   complexion
                   .
                   And
                   they
                   were
                   remarkable
                   in
                   the
                   Prop●…ets
                   of
                   the
                   Heathen
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   P●…iest
                   whom
                   Saint
                   Austin
                   knew
                   ,
                   that
                   
                   would
                   whine
                   himself
                   into
                   an
                   extasie
                   ;
                   In
                   the
                   wonderful
                   discourses
                   of
                   the
                   American
                   Bishop
                   ,
                   that
                   said
                   he
                   was
                   the
                   
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   
                     canting
                     fluency
                  
                   of
                   the
                   
                     German
                     Enthusiasts
                  
                   ,
                   some
                   of
                   whose
                   imaginations
                   were
                   as
                   wild
                   ,
                   and
                   extravagant
                   ;
                   of
                   such
                   Instances
                   I
                   might
                   make
                   up
                   a
                   much
                   larger
                   Catalogue
                   ,
                   if
                   I
                   should
                   descend
                   to
                   our
                   
                     Domestick
                     Lunaticks
                  
                   ,
                   but
                   their
                   temper
                   is
                   well
                   known
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   I
                   only
                   adde
                   this
                   more
                   ;
                
                 
                   That
                   I
                   have
                   often
                   met
                   with
                   a
                   poor
                   Woman
                   in
                   Warwick-shire
                   ,
                   whose
                   habitual
                   conceit
                   it
                   was
                   ,
                   that
                   she
                   was
                   
                     Mother
                     of
                     God
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     of
                     all
                     things
                     living
                  
                   ;
                   I
                   was
                   wont
                   to
                   personate
                   a
                   kind
                   of
                   complyance
                   with
                   her
                   fancy
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   modest
                   d●…sire
                   to
                   be
                   further
                   informed
                   about
                   it
                   ;
                   which
                   gentleness
                   drew
                   from
                   her
                   
                   so
                   many
                   odde
                   fetches
                   of
                   discourse
                   ,
                   such
                   applications
                   of
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   and
                   such
                   wonderful
                   references
                   to
                   things
                   ,
                   in
                   which
                   she
                   was
                   never
                   instructed
                   ,
                   that
                   look'd
                   like
                   scraps
                   taken
                   out
                   of
                   Hobbs
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     Epi●…urus
                     ▪
                  
                   that
                   I
                   have
                   been
                   much
                   amazed
                   at
                   her
                   talk
                   :
                   And
                   yet
                   when
                   I
                   diverted
                   her
                   to
                   any
                   thing
                   else
                   of
                   ordinary
                   ma●…ters
                   ,
                   she
                   spoke
                   usually
                   with
                   as
                   much
                   sobriety
                   and
                   cold
                   discretion
                   ,
                   as
                   could
                   well
                   be
                   expected
                   from
                   a
                   person
                   of
                   her
                   condition
                   ;
                   no●…
                   did
                   she
                   use
                   ●…o
                   be
                   extravagant
                   in
                   any
                   thing
                   ,
                   but
                   about
                   that
                   particular
                   imagination
                   ;
                   which
                   instance
                   among
                   many
                   others
                   I
                   might
                   produce
                   ,
                   very
                   much
                   confirms
                   me
                   in
                   the
                   truth
                   of
                   that
                   observation
                   of
                   those
                   Philosophers
                   who
                   have
                   given
                   us
                   the
                   best
                   light
                   into
                   the
                   Enthusiastick
                   t●…mper
                   ,
                   
                     viz.
                     That
                     there
                  
                   
                   
                     is
                     a
                     sort
                     of
                     madness
                     ,
                     which
                     takes
                     men
                     in
                     some
                     particular
                     things
                     ,
                     when
                     they
                     are
                     sound
                     in
                     others
                     :
                  
                   which
                   one
                   Proposition
                   will
                   assord
                   a
                   good
                   account
                   of
                   many
                   of
                   the
                   Phaenomena
                   of
                   Enthusiasm
                   ;
                   and
                   shews
                   that
                   the
                   extravagants
                   among
                   us
                   may
                   be
                   really
                   distracted
                   in
                   the
                   affairs
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   though
                   their
                   brains
                   are
                   untouch't
                   in
                   other
                   matters
                   .
                
                 
                   Thus
                   a
                   Philosophical
                   use
                   of
                   observation
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   
                     knowledge
                     of
                     humane
                     nature
                  
                   by
                   it
                   ,
                   helps
                   us
                   to
                   distinguish
                   between
                   the
                   effects
                   of
                   the
                   adorable
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   those
                   of
                   an
                   hot
                   ,
                   distemper'd
                   fancy
                   ;
                   which
                   is
                   no
                   small
                   advantage
                   for
                   the
                   securing
                   the
                   
                     purity
                     ,
                     honour
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   interests
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   BUT
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   there
                   is
                   another
                   mischief
                   of
                   the
                   Enthusiastick
                   spirit
                   behind
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   is
                   it's
                   bringing
                   Reason
                   into
                   disgrace
                   ,
                   and
                   denying
                   the
                   use
                   thereof
                   in
                   the
                   a●…irs
                   of
                   Faith
                   and
                   Religion
                   :
                   This
                   is
                   a
                   mischief
                   that
                   is
                   the
                   sad
                   cause
                   of
                   insinite
                   more
                   ;
                   for
                   it
                   hath
                   brought
                   into
                   the
                   world
                   all
                   kinds
                   of
                   Phantastry
                   and
                   ●…lly
                   ,
                   and
                   exposed
                   Religion
                   to
                   contempt
                   and
                   derision
                   ,
                   by
                   making
                   madness
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     diseases
                     sacred
                  
                   :
                   It
                   bewilders
                   mens
                   minds
                   in
                   a
                   maze
                   of
                   confused
                   imaginations
                   ,
                   and
                   leads
                   them
                   into
                   bogs
                   and
                   precipices
                   ,
                   and
                   deprives
                   them
                   of
                   their
                   light
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   Guide
                   ,
                   and
                   lays
                   them
                   open
                   to
                   all
                   the
                   Delusions
                   of
                   Satan
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   own
                   distemper'd
                   
                   brains
                   :
                   It
                   takes
                   Religion
                   off
                   from
                   it's
                   foundations
                   ,
                   and
                   leaves
                   the
                   interest
                   of
                   eternity
                   in
                   me●…s
                   Souls
                   ,
                   to
                   chance
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   hits
                   of
                   imagination
                   ;
                   teaching
                   those
                   that
                   are
                   del●…ded
                   to
                   lay
                   the
                   stress
                   of
                   all
                   upon
                   
                     raptures
                     ,
                     〈◊〉
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   mysterious
                   notions
                   ,
                   〈◊〉
                   they
                   forget
                   ,
                   and
                   scorn
                   the
                   plain
                   Christianity
                   which
                   is
                   an
                   imitation
                   of
                   Christ
                   in
                   
                     Charity
                     ,
                     Humility
                     ,
                     Justice
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   Purity
                   ;
                   in
                   the
                   exercise
                   of
                   all
                   vertue
                   ,
                   and
                   command
                   of
                   our selves
                   :
                   It
                   renders
                   men
                   obnoxiou●…
                   to
                   all
                   the
                   Temptations
                   of
                   Atheism
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   blackest
                   Insidelity
                   ;
                   and
                   makes
                   it
                   impossible
                   to
                   convince
                   an
                   Insidel
                   ,
                   to
                   setle
                   one
                   that
                   doubts
                   ,
                   or
                   to
                   recover
                   one
                   that
                   is
                   backsliden
                   from
                   the
                   Faith.
                   These
                   evils
                   I
                   am
                   here
                   content
                   to
                   name
                   only
                   ,
                   having
                   represented
                   them
                   more
                   fully
                   in
                   another
                   
                   discourse
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   experience
                   of
                   our
                   own
                   Age
                   may
                   convince
                   us
                   ,
                   with
                   a
                   little
                   consideration
                   upon
                   it
                   ;
                   That
                   all
                   those
                   fatal
                   mischiefs
                   have
                   been
                   the
                   effects
                   of
                   the
                   contempt
                   ,
                   and
                   disparagement
                   of
                   Re●…son
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   yet
                   though
                   I
                   assirm
                   this
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   not
                   so
                   rash
                   ,
                   or
                   so
                   unjust
                   as
                   to
                   believe
                   ,
                   or
                   say
                   ,
                   that
                   this
                   spirit
                   hath
                   produced
                   all
                   those
                   sad
                   things
                   in
                   every
                   one
                   that
                   speaks
                   hotly
                   ,
                   and
                   inconsiderately
                   against
                   Reason
                   :
                   I
                   am
                   far
                   from
                   the
                   wildness
                   of
                   such
                   a
                   censure
                   ,
                   because
                   I
                   know
                   how
                   much
                   
                     imprudent
                     zeal
                     ,
                     customary
                     talk
                     ,
                     high
                     pretensions
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     superstitious
                     fears
                  
                   ,
                   may
                   work
                   even
                   upon
                   
                     honest
                     minds
                  
                   ,
                   who
                   many
                   times
                   hold
                   bad
                   things
                   in
                   the
                   principle
                   ,
                   which
                   they
                   deny
                   in
                   the
                   practice
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   are
                   upright
                   in
                   their
                   wills
                   ,
                   while
                   
                   they
                   are
                   very
                   much
                   confused
                   ,
                   and
                   mistaken
                   in
                   their
                   understandings
                   .
                   This
                   I
                   account
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   case
                   of
                   multitudes
                   of
                   pious
                   people
                   in
                   reference
                   to
                   Reason
                   .
                   They
                   have
                   heard
                   hot-headed
                   indiscreet
                   men
                   declaim
                   against
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   many
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   whose
                   opinions
                   will
                   not
                   bear
                   the
                   light
                   ,
                   have
                   an
                   interest
                   to
                   do
                   so
                   ;
                   their
                   pretensions
                   were
                   plausible
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   zeal
                   great
                   ;
                   their
                   talk
                   〈◊〉
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   〈◊〉
                   bold
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   honest
                   well-meaning
                   folks
                   are
                   caught
                   in
                   their
                   assections
                   ;
                   and
                   these
                   lead
                   bad
                   principles
                   into
                   their
                   minds
                   ,
                   which
                   are
                   neither
                   disposed
                   ,
                   nor
                   able
                   to
                   examine
                   :
                   So
                   they
                   believe
                   and
                   talk
                   after
                   their
                   Teachers
                   ;
                   and
                   say
                   ,
                   that
                   Reason
                   is
                   
                     a
                     low
                     ,
                     dull
                  
                   thing
                   ,
                   ignorant
                   of
                   the
                   spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   an
                   enemy
                   to
                   Faith
                   and
                   Religion
                   ;
                   while
                   in
                   this
                   ,
                   they
                   
                   have
                   no
                   clear
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   nor
                   yet
                   any
                   evil
                   meaning
                   ;
                   But
                   let
                   these
                   sancies
                   swim
                   a
                   top
                   in
                   their
                   imaginations
                   ,
                   and
                   upon
                   occasions
                   they
                   run
                   out
                   at
                   the
                   tongues
                   end
                   ,
                   though
                   they
                   are
                   not
                   always
                   improved
                   to
                   deadly
                   practices
                   .
                   For
                   Charity
                   ,
                   〈◊〉
                   Caution
                   I
                   have
                   said
                   this
                   ;
                   but
                   yet
                   nothing
                   hinders
                   but
                   that
                   all
                   the
                   forecited
                   evils
                   are
                   justly
                   said
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Tendencies
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   too
                   many
                   Instances
                   have
                   been
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   ,
                   the
                   Issues
                   of
                   this
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   now
                   I
                   doubt
                   not
                   but
                   't
                   will
                   be
                   granted
                   readily
                   by
                   all
                   that
                   are
                   con●…derate
                   ,
                   that
                   whatever
                   assists
                   Religion
                   against
                   this
                   destructive
                   enemy
                   ,
                   doth
                   it
                   most
                   important
                   service
                   ;
                   and
                   this
                   the
                   Free
                   and
                   
                     Real
                     Philosophy
                  
                   doth
                   in
                   a
                   degree
                   very
                   eminent
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   In
                   order
                   to
                   the
                   proof
                   of
                   this
                   we
                   may
                   consider
                   what
                   I
                   intimated
                   just
                   now
                   ,
                   viz.
                   That
                   men
                   are
                   led
                   into
                   ,
                   and
                   kept
                   in
                   this
                   fancy
                   of
                   the
                   enmity
                   of
                   Reason
                   to
                   Religion
                   chie●…ly
                   by
                   two
                   things
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   III.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   I
                   )
                   BY
                   an
                   implicit
                   assent
                   to
                   the
                   Systemes
                   ,
                   and
                   dictates
                   of
                   those
                   who
                   first
                   instructed
                   them
                   ;
                   which
                   Teachers
                   came
                   also
                   into
                   the
                   fancy
                   the
                   same
                   way
                   ;
                   and
                   both
                   are
                   held
                   under
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   it
                   by
                   strong
                   prejudice
                   arising
                   from
                   that
                   
                     implicit
                     Faith.
                  
                   And
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   By
                   want
                   of
                   clear
                   thoughts
                   and
                   ability
                   ,
                   to
                   state
                   things
                   distinctly
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   understand
                   their
                   dependencies
                   ,
                   and
                   sequels
                   .
                   Both
                   which
                   imperfections
                   the
                   
                     Free
                     Philosophy
                  
                   〈◊〉
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   For
                   as
                   to
                   the
                   First
                   ,
                   (
                   I.
                   )
                   That
                   Philosophy
                   begins
                   with
                   the
                   inlargment
                   of
                   the
                   mind
                   ,
                   and
                   attempts
                   to
                   free
                   it
                   from
                   prejudices
                   and
                   pre-ingagements
                   ,
                   which
                   sophisticate
                   ,
                   and
                   pervert
                   our
                   judgments
                   ,
                   and
                   render
                   us
                   incapable
                   of
                   discerning
                   things
                   as
                   they
                   are
                   .
                   
                     Modest
                     ,
                     impartial
                  
                   enquiry
                   is
                   the
                   Foundation
                   of
                   the
                   
                     real
                     ,
                     experimental
                     way
                  
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   .
                   Not
                   that
                   it
                   teacheth
                   Scepti●…ism
                   ,
                   and
                   absolute
                   Neutrality
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   but
                   
                     so
                     much
                     caution
                  
                   in
                   our
                   disquisitions
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   do
                   not
                   suddenly
                   give
                   firm
                   assents
                   to
                   things
                   not
                   well
                   understood
                   ,
                   o●…
                   examin'd
                   :
                   which
                   no
                   doubt
                   is
                   very
                   just
                   ,
                   and
                   safe
                   .
                   But
                   as
                   to
                   what
                   concerns
                   those
                   ,
                   who
                   through
                   ignorance
                   ,
                   or
                   other
                   occasions
                   are
                   incapable
                   of
                   making
                   due
                   enquiry
                   ,
                   I
                   think
                   they
                   ought
                   not
                   to
                   concern
                   themselves
                   
                   about
                   matters
                   of
                   speculation
                   at
                   all
                   ;
                   or
                   at
                   least
                   not
                   to
                   affirm
                   any
                   thing
                   positively
                   of
                   them
                   'T
                   is
                   enough
                   for
                   such
                   to
                   ●…lieve
                   ,
                   and
                   practise
                   the
                   plain
                   duties
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   which
                   ar●…
                   clear
                   in
                   the
                   holy
                   Oracles
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   which
                   they
                   may
                   be
                   acquainted
                   without
                   much
                   sagacity
                   ,
                   or
                   
                     deep
                     judgment
                  
                   :
                   For
                   matters
                   of
                   Theory
                   ,
                   and
                   dissicult
                   enquiry
                   appertain
                   ●…ot
                   to
                   the
                   vulgar
                   ,
                   and
                   lower
                   rank
                   of
                   understandings
                   .
                   But
                   for
                   those
                   who
                   are
                   capable
                   of
                   s●…arch
                   after
                   Truth
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   provided
                   with
                   advantages
                   for
                   it
                   ,
                   Freedom
                   of
                   judgment
                   is
                   necessary
                   in
                   order
                   to
                   their
                   success
                   .
                   With
                   this
                   ,
                   I
                   said
                   ,
                   the
                   
                     Real
                     Philosophy
                     ●…egins
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   in
                   all
                   it
                   's
                   progresses
                   still
                   m●…e
                   and
                   more
                   dispo●…th
                   the
                   mind
                   to
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   delivers
                   it
                   from
                   the
                   vassallage
                   of
                   Customary
                   sayings
                   and
                   opinions
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   Now
                   whoever
                   is
                   so
                   disposed
                   ,
                   will
                   not
                   be
                   so
                   ready
                   to
                   believe
                   that
                   Reason
                   is
                   an
                   Enemy
                   to
                   Religion
                   ,
                   till
                   he
                   have
                   consider'd
                   ,
                   and
                   examin'd
                   the
                   matter
                   with
                   an
                   impartial
                   judgment
                   .
                   And
                   I
                   dare
                   say
                   ,
                   whoever
                   shall
                   do
                   that
                   ,
                   will
                   want
                   nothing
                   to
                   convince
                   him
                   ,
                   that
                   such
                   an
                   opinion
                   is
                   false
                   ,
                   and
                   groundless
                   ,
                   but
                   clear
                   ,
                   and
                   distinct
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   consequence
                   ,
                   with
                   which
                   Philosophy
                   will
                   furnish
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   second
                   way
                   whereby
                   it
                   helps
                   to
                   overthrow
                   this
                   principle
                   of
                   Enthusiasm
                   ,
                   viz.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   By
                   teaching
                   us
                   to
                   state
                   matters
                   clearly
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   draw
                   out
                   those
                   conclusions
                   that
                   are
                   lodged
                   in
                   them
                   .
                   For
                   't
                   is
                   confusion
                   of
                   notions
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   grea●…
                   defect
                   in
                   reasoning
                   ,
                   that
                   makes
                   dark
                   zeal
                   to
                   rave
                   
                   so
                   furiously
                   against
                   Reason
                   .
                   Now
                   Philosophy
                   is
                   
                     Reason
                     methodized
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   improved
                   by
                   
                     study
                     ,
                     observation
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   experiment
                   ;
                   and
                   whoever
                   is
                   addicted
                   to
                   these
                   ,
                   is
                   exercised
                   frequently
                   in
                   inquiry
                   after
                   the
                   
                     causes
                     ,
                     properties
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   relations
                   of
                   things
                   ,
                   which
                   will
                   inure
                   the
                   mind
                   to
                   great
                   intentness
                   ,
                   and
                   inable
                   it
                   to
                   define
                   and
                   distinguish
                   ,
                   and
                   infer
                   rightly
                   ;
                   And
                   by
                   these
                   the
                   allegations
                   against
                   Reason
                   will
                   be
                   made
                   appear
                   to
                   be
                   idle
                   Sophis●…s
                   ,
                   that
                   have
                   no
                   sound
                   sense
                   ,
                   or
                   substance
                   in
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   is
                   shewn
                   in
                   a
                   late
                   discourse
                   ,
                   call'd
                   a
                   Vindication
                   and
                   
                     desence
                     of
                     the
                     use
                     of
                     Reason
                     in
                     the
                     affairs
                     of
                     Faith
                     and
                     Religion
                  
                   ;
                   in
                   which
                   also
                   the
                   whole
                   matter
                   is
                   stated
                   distinctly
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   think
                   right
                   is
                   done
                   both
                   to
                   Reason
                   and
                   Religion
                   .
                   For
                   it
                   is
                   
                   made
                   evident
                   there
                   ,
                   that
                   all
                   the
                   Articles
                   of
                   Faith
                   may
                   either
                   be
                   proved
                   by
                   Reason
                   ,
                   or
                   defended
                   by
                   it
                   ;
                   which
                   two
                   particulars
                   we
                   will
                   here
                   touch
                   a
                   little
                   .
                   That
                   Reason
                   proves
                   the
                   greatest
                   Articles
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   is
                   sufficiently
                   made
                   appear
                   by
                   those
                   
                     Philosophick
                     Reasoners
                  
                   that
                   have
                   do●…e
                   it
                   ;
                   and
                   to
                   say
                   a
                   word
                   of
                   this
                   ,
                   will
                   be
                   no
                   digression
                   ,
                   since
                   it
                   will
                   shew
                   ,
                   that
                   Philosophy
                   destroys
                   the
                   conceit
                   of
                   Reasons
                   being
                   an
                   Enemy
                   ,
                   and
                   demonstrate
                   that
                   it
                   improves
                   Reason
                   to
                   many
                   purposes
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   IV.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   I.
                   )
                   IT
                   is
                   well
                   known
                   ,
                   that
                   divers
                   great
                   men
                   have
                   labour'd
                   in
                   the
                   Rational
                   proof
                   of
                   
                     Christian
                     Religion
                  
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   most
                   Learned
                   
                     Hugo
                     Grotius
                     ,
                     Duplessis
                     ,
                     Raymond
                     de
                     Sa●…undis
                  
                   ;
                   The
                   Pious
                   and
                   most
                   Excellent
                   Doctor
                   Hammond
                   ,
                   Mr.
                   Baxter
                   ,
                   and
                   others
                   among
                   our selves
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   Immortal
                   Bishop
                   of
                   Downe
                   ,
                   Doctor
                   
                     Jer.
                     Tayler
                  
                   ,
                   hath
                   in
                   ten
                   leaves
                   of
                   his
                   
                     Ductor
                     Dubitantium
                  
                   ,
                   given
                   such
                   an
                   invincible
                   
                     rational
                     Demonstration
                  
                   of
                   Christianity
                   ,
                   by
                   a
                   most
                   elegant
                   and
                   judicious
                   collection
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   most
                   important
                   par●…iculars
                   of
                   evidence
                   ,
                   that
                   if
                   there
                   had
                   never
                   been
                   any
                   thing
                   said
                   before
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   Truth
                   and
                   certainty
                   of
                   our
                   Religion
                   ;
                   this
                   
                   alone
                   had
                   been
                   enough
                   to
                   have
                   won
                   upon
                   the
                   most
                   shie
                   ,
                   and
                   difficult
                   assent
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   have
                   confounded
                   all
                   the
                   Infidels
                   under
                   Heaven
                   ;
                   this
                   Testimony
                   I
                   must
                   give
                   to
                   that
                   glorious
                   performance
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   will
                   not
                   I
                   presume
                   be
                   thought
                   excessive
                   by
                   any
                   one
                   that
                   reads
                   ,
                   and
                   is
                   fit
                   to
                   judge
                   in
                   such
                   cases
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   could
                   not
                   omit
                   mention
                   of
                   these
                   worthy
                   Asserters
                   ,
                   and
                   Defenders
                   of
                   Religion
                   :
                   But
                   there
                   is
                   another
                   sort
                   of
                   Reasoners
                   for
                   our
                   Faith
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   more
                   proper
                   for
                   my
                   present
                   notice
                   ,
                   viz.
                   Those
                   that
                   have
                   used
                   the
                   aids
                   of
                   the
                   
                     modern
                     ,
                     Free
                     Philosophy
                  
                   ,
                   in
                   proving
                   ,
                   and
                   defending
                   some
                   main
                   Articles
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                   And
                   there
                   are
                   several
                   Members
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Royal
                     Society
                  
                   ,
                   who
                   have
                   imploy●…d
                   their
                   ingenious
                   ,
                   and
                   Pious
                   pains
                   this
                   way
                   ;
                   
                   The
                   Wise
                   ,
                   Learned
                   ,
                   and
                   deservedly
                   Celebrated
                   Prelate
                   ,
                   Dr.
                   
                     Seth
                     Ward
                  
                   ,
                   the
                   present
                   Lord
                   Bishop
                   of
                   Sarum
                   ,
                   hath
                   in
                   his
                   
                     Philosophical
                     Essays
                  
                   ,
                   fully
                   (
                   though
                   in
                   a
                   small
                   compass
                   of
                   words
                   )
                   and
                   perspicuously
                   shewn
                   ,
                   That
                   the
                   Foundations
                   of
                   Religion
                   are
                   laid
                   in
                   
                     eternal
                     Reason
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   by
                   this
                   ,
                   hath
                   cleared
                   the
                   Nature
                   ,
                   and
                   Attributes
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   the
                   Immortality
                   of
                   our
                   Souls
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     Divine
                     Authority
                  
                   of
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   which
                   are
                   the
                   grand
                   Basis
                   of
                   Faith
                   and
                   Obedience
                   :
                   And
                   the
                   Illustrious
                   Mr.
                   Boyle
                   hath
                   ,
                   in
                   his
                   excellent
                   Treatise
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Usesulness
                     of
                     Experimental
                     Philosophy
                  
                   ,
                   made
                   it
                   appear
                   that
                   
                     Philosophick
                     Reason
                  
                   gives
                   the
                   strongest
                   evidence
                   of
                   the
                   existence
                   of
                   the
                   Deity
                   ,
                   and
                   very
                   glorious
                   Illustrations
                   of
                   his
                   Attributes
                   ;
                   and
                   by
                   it
                   he
                   infinitely
                   
                   shames
                   ,
                   and
                   disproves
                   the
                   Follies
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Epicurean
                     Atheist
                  
                   ;
                   which
                   great
                   interests
                   of
                   Faith
                   and
                   Piety
                   ,
                   have
                   also
                   been
                   egregiously
                   promoted
                   by
                   the
                   judicious
                   ,
                   Philosophical
                   performances
                   of
                   the
                   Learned
                   Doctor
                   
                     H.
                     More
                  
                   ,
                   who
                   hath
                   every
                   where
                   in
                   his
                   Works
                   discover'd
                   to
                   what
                   useful
                   purposes
                   Reason
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   
                     Free
                     Philosophy
                  
                   may
                   be
                   imployed
                   in
                   the
                   services
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   Noble
                   Sir
                   
                     K.
                     Digby
                  
                   writ
                   a
                   discourse
                   concerning
                   the
                   Immorta●…ty
                   of
                   the
                   Soul
                   ,
                   which
                   he
                   proves
                   and
                   defends
                   by
                   the
                   Principles
                   and
                   reasonings
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   ;
                   which
                   design
                   also
                   of
                   making
                   Philosophy
                   serve
                   the
                   Altar
                   ,
                   hath
                   been
                   happily
                   undertaken
                   ,
                   and
                   as
                   successfully
                   managed
                   by
                   the
                   Ingenious
                   Mr.
                   
                     Sam.
                     Parker
                  
                   ,
                   in
                   his
                   Learned
                   Tentamina
                   ;
                   in
                   which
                   he
                   strenuously
                   
                   proves
                   the
                   
                     Being
                     of
                     God
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   explains
                   many
                   difficulties
                   about
                   his
                   Attributes
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   use
                   of
                   
                     Free
                     Philosophical
                     Reason
                  
                   .
                   These
                   are
                   ,
                   and
                   were
                   all
                   Members
                   of
                   the
                   Royal
                   Colledge
                   of
                   Philosophers
                   .
                   To
                   these
                   I
                   may
                   adde
                   the
                   Instances
                   of
                   the
                   great
                   Des-Cartes
                   ,
                   and
                   our
                   worthy
                   and
                   Learned
                   Doctor
                   Stillingfleet
                   ,
                   who
                   have
                   also
                   excellently
                   imployed
                   the
                   
                     Free
                     Philosophy
                  
                   for
                   the
                   advantage
                   ,
                   and
                   promotion
                   of
                   the
                   Affairs
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                
                 
                   Thus
                   we
                   see
                   that
                   the
                   
                     Real
                     knowledge
                  
                   and
                   search
                   into
                   Gods
                   works
                   ,
                   puts
                   Philosophers
                   at
                   great
                   distance
                   from
                   that
                   fond
                   Principle
                   of
                   Enthusiasm
                   ,
                   That
                   Reason
                   is
                   an
                   Enemy
                   to
                   Religion
                   ;
                   and
                   we
                   may
                   learn
                   from
                   the
                   Discourses
                   cited
                   ,
                   That
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   happily
                   ,
                   and
                   pro●…itably
                   used
                   in
                   the
                   proof
                   of
                   many
                   
                   of
                   the
                   greatest
                   Articles
                   of
                   Faith
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   Philosophy
                   doth
                   much
                   assist
                   it
                   in
                   that
                   service
                   .
                   And
                   so
                   it
                   doth
                   ,
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   V.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   IN
                   defending
                   other
                   points
                   of
                   Faith
                   which
                   are
                   purely
                   of
                   Revelation
                   ,
                   and
                   immediately
                   discoverable
                   no
                   other
                   way
                   .
                   For
                   this
                   is
                   a
                   Maxim
                   of
                   Reason
                   ,
                   that
                   
                     whatever
                     God
                     saith
                     is
                     to
                     be
                     believed
                     ,
                     though
                     we
                     cannot
                     comprehend
                     the
                     manner
                     of
                     it
                     ,
                     or
                     tell
                     how
                     the
                     thing
                     should
                     be
                     .
                  
                   By
                   this
                   Axiom
                   ,
                   whoever
                   hath
                   proved
                   the
                   Revelation
                   ,
                   may
                   desend
                   the
                   Article
                   ,
                   and
                   't
                   is
                   an
                   absurdity
                   in
                   Philosophick
                   reasoning
                   to
                   argue
                   against
                   the
                   being
                   of
                   a
                   thing
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   well
                   attested
                   ,
                   from
                   the
                   unconceivableness
                   of
                   the
                   manner
                   
                   how
                   it
                   is
                   ;
                   According
                   to
                   which
                   principle
                   even
                   the
                   Trinity
                   ,
                   and
                   Incarnation
                   ,
                   may
                   be
                   as
                   well
                   defended
                   as
                   the
                   existence
                   of
                   matter
                   ,
                   and
                   motion
                   ,
                   and
                   upon
                   the
                   same
                   grounds
                   .
                   In
                   these
                   there
                   are
                   many
                   modes
                   which
                   are
                   perfectly
                   unaccountable
                   ,
                   and
                   full
                   of
                   seeming
                   contradictions
                   ;
                   which
                   if
                   they
                   should
                   be
                   urged
                   against
                   the
                   existence
                   of
                   these
                   most
                   sensible
                   Beings
                   ,
                   we
                   could
                   not
                   make
                   our
                   defence
                   by
                   untying
                   those
                   knots
                   ;
                   but
                   may
                   well
                   
                     do
                     it
                  
                   ,
                   by
                   recourse
                   to
                   this
                   Maxim
                   ,
                   That
                   
                     what
                     is
                     an
                     evident
                     object
                     of
                     Sense
                     ,
                     or
                     clearly
                     proved
                     by
                     Reason
                     ,
                     ought
                     to
                     be
                     believed
                     ,
                     though
                     there
                     are
                     many
                     things
                     in
                     the
                     Theory
                     ,
                     and
                     manner
                     of
                     it
                     unconceivable
                  
                   ;
                   And
                   by
                   using
                   the
                   same
                   we
                   are
                   safe
                   in
                   all
                   the
                   Mysteries
                   of
                   Faith
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   well
                   proved
                   to
                   be
                   so
                   .
                   But
                   this
                   I
                   
                   have
                   more
                   fully
                   handled
                   else
                   where
                   ;
                   and
                   shall
                   only
                   adde
                   now
                   ,
                   That
                   the
                   
                     Free
                     ,
                     Experimental
                     Philosophy
                  
                   begets
                   the
                   deepest
                   perswasion
                   of
                   the
                   truth
                   of
                   this
                   modest
                   Proposition
                   ;
                   by
                   acquainting
                   the
                   Philo●…opher
                   every
                   day
                   with
                   innumerable
                   things
                   in
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   o●…
                   which
                   he
                   can
                   give
                   no
                   account
                   ,
                   though
                   he
                   know
                   by
                   his
                   senses
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   
                     really
                     existing
                  
                   .
                   And
                   by
                   this
                   means
                   Reason
                   assisted
                   by
                   Philosophy
                   cuts
                   off
                   all
                   the
                   Cavils
                   ,
                   and
                   silenc●…th
                   the
                   Objections
                   of
                   
                     bold
                     In●…idelity
                  
                   ,
                   which
                   for
                   the
                   most
                   part
                   are
                   raised
                   from
                   the
                   difficulties
                   that
                   are
                   in
                   
                     our
                     conception
                  
                   of
                   the
                   Articles
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   thus
                   the
                   
                     Free
                     Philosophy
                  
                   lays
                   a
                   foundation
                   for
                   defence
                   of
                   the
                   greatest
                   sublimities
                   of
                   Faith
                   ;
                   and
                   
                     common
                     Reason
                  
                   doth
                   the
                   best
                   ,
                   by
                   
                   shewing
                   the
                   certainty
                   ,
                   and
                   divine
                   Original
                   of
                   the
                   Testimony
                   that
                   acquaints
                   us
                   with
                   those
                   sacred
                   Mysteries
                   .
                   This
                   it
                   doth
                   by
                   aggregating
                   those
                   multitudes
                   of
                   circumstances
                   that
                   shew
                   the
                   Infallible
                   truth
                   of
                   
                     Scripture
                     History
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   twists
                   such
                   a
                   cord
                   as
                   is
                   as
                   strong
                   as
                   any
                   thing
                   in
                   Geometry
                   or
                   Nature
                   .
                   And
                   therefore
                   I
                   cannot
                   chuse
                   but
                   wonder
                   what
                   it
                   is
                   that
                   inclines
                   some
                   men
                   ,
                   who
                   are
                   otherwise
                   sober
                   enough
                   ,
                   to
                   let
                   slye
                   so
                   lavishly
                   ,
                   and
                   indiscreetly
                   against
                   Reason
                   ,
                   and
                   Philosophy
                   ,
                   especially
                   in
                   an
                   Age
                   so
                   exceeding
                   prone
                   to
                   Phantastry
                   ,
                   and
                   Madness
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   hath
                   been
                   ruined
                   in
                   all
                   its
                   concerns
                   by
                   Enthusiasm
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     vain
                     pretences
                  
                   to
                   the
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   true
                   ,
                   the
                   discourses
                   of
                   some
                   who
                   have
                   talk't
                   much
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   ,
                   
                   and
                   Reason
                   ,
                   have
                   been
                   bold
                   ,
                   and
                   sawcy
                   ,
                   and
                   no
                   doubt
                   of
                   evil
                   tendency
                   to
                   the
                   interest
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                   But
                   
                     true
                     Philosophy
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     well
                     manag'd
                     Reason
                     ,
                     vindicate
                  
                   Religion
                   from
                   those
                   impudent
                   abuses
                   ,
                   and
                   shew
                   ,
                   that
                   there
                   was
                   Sophistry
                   and
                   imposture
                   in
                   those
                   pretensions
                   :
                   So
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   no
                   more
                   to
                   be
                   blamed
                   for
                   the
                   insolencies
                   ,
                   and
                   riots
                   of
                   those
                   that
                   usurp
                   their
                   name
                   ;
                   then
                   Religion
                   it self
                   is
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   Immoralities
                   of
                   those
                   ,
                   that
                   cloath
                   themselves
                   in
                   the
                   garments
                   of
                   external
                   Piety
                   and
                   Saintship
                   .
                   Thus
                   of
                   the
                   services
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   against
                   ENTHUSIASM
                   .
                   I
                   come
                   now
                   to
                   the
                   last
                   Instance
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 VI.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Philosophy
                   serves
                   Religion
                   
                     against
                     the
                     Humour
                  
                   of
                   
                     Disputing
                     .
                     Some
                     of
                     the
                  
                   mischi●…fs
                   
                     of
                     that
                     Spirit
                     briefly
                     reci●…ed
                     .
                     Six
                     ways
                     whereby
                  
                   Philosophy
                   
                     destroies
                     the
                  
                   disputing
                   humour
                   .
                   
                     The
                     main
                     things
                     that
                     may
                     be
                     urged
                     in
                     behalf
                     of
                  
                   disputes
                   ,
                   Answer'd
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   I.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   V.
                   )
                   IT
                   helps
                   Religion
                   against
                   the
                   Humour
                   of
                   Disputing
                   ;
                   by
                   which
                   I
                   mean
                   that
                   ,
                   which
                   
                     believes
                     uncertain
                     opinions
                     sirmly
                     ,
                     ass●…rts
                     them
                     confidently
                     ,
                     and
                     clamorously
                     conte●…ds
                     against
                     every
                     different
                     app●…ehe
                     si●…n
                     .
                     This
                  
                   is
                   that
                   pestil●…nt
                   
                   Spirit
                   that
                   turns
                   Religion
                   into
                   air
                   of
                   notion
                   ,
                   and
                   makes
                   it
                   intricate
                   ,
                   and
                   uncertain
                   ;
                   subject
                   to
                   eternal
                   quarrels
                   ,
                   and
                   obnoxious
                   to
                   Scepticism
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     Infidelity
                     ;
                     That
                  
                   which
                   supplants
                   
                     charity
                     ,
                     modesty
                     ,
                     peace
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   Meekness
                   ,
                   and
                   substitutes
                   in
                   their
                   room
                   ,
                   
                     Rage
                     ,
                     Insolence
                     ,
                     Pride
                     ,
                     Bitter
                     Zeal
                     ,
                     Clamours
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   Divisions
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   opposites
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Gospel
                   .
                   So
                   that
                   ,
                   it
                   
                     depraves
                     Religion
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   makes
                   it
                   's
                   sacred
                   name
                   an
                   instrument
                   to
                   promote
                   the
                   projects
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Kingdom
                     of
                     darkness
                  
                   ,
                   by
                   cankring
                   men
                   one
                   against
                   another
                   ,
                   and
                   inflaming
                   their
                   Spirits
                   ,
                   and
                   crumbling
                   them
                   into
                   Sects
                   ,
                   and
                   disturbing
                   Societies
                   ;
                   and
                   so
                   it
                   hinders
                   the
                   Progress
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   ,
                   and
                   lays
                   it
                   open
                   to
                   the
                   scorns
                   of
                   unbelievers
                   ;
                   it
                   turns
                   men
                   from
                   the
                   desire
                   of
                   practising
                   to
                   the
                   
                   itch
                   of
                   talking
                   ,
                   and
                   abuses
                   them
                   into
                   this
                   dangerous
                   belief
                   ,
                   that
                   Godliness
                   consists
                   more
                   in
                   their
                   beloved
                   Orthodoxy
                   ,
                   then
                   in
                   a
                   
                     sober
                     vertue
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   exercise
                   of
                   Charity
                   ;
                   it
                   makes
                   them
                   pert
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     pragmatical
                     ,
                     busie
                  
                   about
                   the
                   Reformation
                   of
                   others
                   ,
                   while
                   they
                   neglect
                   their
                   own
                   Spirits
                   ;
                   fancying
                   a
                   perfection
                   in
                   the
                   fluency
                   of
                   the
                   tongue
                   ,
                   while
                   the
                   worst
                   of
                   passions
                   have
                   the
                   Empire
                   of
                   their
                   
                     Souls
                     .
                     These
                  
                   are
                   some
                   of
                   the
                   sad
                   effects
                   of
                   the
                   humour
                   of
                   disputing
                   ,
                   which
                   hath
                   done
                   deplorable
                   execution
                   upon
                   Religion
                   in
                   all
                   places
                   ,
                   and
                   times
                   ;
                   and
                   therefore
                   't
                   is
                   none
                   of
                   the
                   least
                   services
                   that
                   can
                   be
                   afforded
                   it
                   ,
                   to
                   destroy
                   this
                   evil
                   genius
                   ;
                   and
                   there
                   is
                   nothing
                   ,
                   meerly
                   humane
                   ,
                   that
                   contributes
                   more
                   towards
                   the
                   rooting
                   of
                   it
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   than
                   
                   the
                   Free
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     Real
                     Philosophy
                  
                   .
                   For
                   ,
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   I
                   )
                   COnverse
                   with
                   
                     Gods
                     works
                  
                   gives
                   us
                   to
                   see
                   the
                   v●…st
                   difficulties
                   that
                   are
                   to
                   be
                   met
                   with
                   in
                   the
                   speculation
                   of
                   them
                   ;
                   and
                   thereby
                   men
                   are
                   made
                   less
                   con●…dent
                   of
                   their
                   sentiments
                   about
                   Nature
                   ,
                   and
                   by
                   many
                   consid●…tions
                   and
                   observations
                   of
                   this
                   kind
                   ,
                   are
                   at
                   length
                   brought
                   to
                   such
                   〈◊〉
                   ●…itual
                   modesty
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   〈◊〉
                   to
                   pass
                   bold
                   judgments
                   upon
                   those
                   opinions
                   in
                   Relig●…n
                   ,
                   of
                   which
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   〈◊〉
                   assurance
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   (
                   II
                   )
                   By
                   the
                   
                     freq●…t
                     exercises
                  
                   of
                   our
                   minds
                   ,
                   we
                   〈◊〉
                   to
                   be
                   made
                   sensible
                   how
                   〈◊〉
                   ,
                   and
                   how
                   oft
                   we
                   are
                   deceived
                   ,
                   through
                   
                   the
                   fallibility
                   of
                   sens●…
                   ,
                   and
                   shortness
                   of
                   our
                   und●…rstandings
                   ;
                   by
                   
                     Education
                     ,
                     Authority
                     ,
                     Interest
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   our
                   Affections
                   ;
                   and
                   so
                   are
                   disposed
                   to
                   a
                   more
                   
                     prudent
                     coldness
                  
                   and
                   d●…ffidence
                   in
                   things
                   of
                   doubtful
                   speculation
                   ,
                   by
                   which
                   the
                   
                     disp●…ting
                     humour
                  
                   is
                   destroyed
                   at
                   the
                   bottom
                   .
                   Besides
                   which
                   ,
                
                 
                   (
                   III.
                   )
                   The
                   
                     Real
                     Philosophy
                  
                   brings
                   men
                   in
                   love
                   with
                   the
                   Practical
                   knowledge
                   ;
                   the
                   more
                   we
                   have
                   imployed
                   our selves
                   in
                   notion
                   and
                   Theory
                   ,
                   the
                   more
                   we
                   shall
                   be
                   acquainted
                   with
                   their
                   uncertainty
                   ;
                   and
                   our
                   ●…steem
                   ,
                   and
                   regard
                   of
                   them
                   will
                   abate
                   ,
                   as
                   that
                   sence
                   increaseth
                   ,
                   and
                   by
                   the
                   same
                   Degrees
                   our
                   respect
                   ,
                   and
                   lo●…e
                   to
                   operative
                   knowledge
                   will
                   advance
                   and
                   grow
                   ;
                   which
                   disposition
                   will
                   incline
                   us
                   also
                   to
                   have
                   less
                   regard
                   
                   to
                   niceties
                   in
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   teach
                   us
                   to
                   lay
                   out
                   our
                   chief
                   cares
                   and
                   endeavours
                   for
                   
                     that
                     knowledge
                  
                   which
                   is
                   Practical
                   and
                   certain
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   assist
                   ,
                   and
                   promote
                   our
                   vertue
                   ,
                   and
                   our
                   happiness
                   ;
                   and
                   incline
                   us
                   to
                   imploy
                   our selves
                   in
                   living
                   according
                   to
                   it
                   ;
                   which
                   also
                   will
                   be
                   an
                   effectual
                   means
                   to
                   destroy
                   the
                   humour
                   of
                   contending
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   (
                   IV.
                   )
                   Philosophy
                   gives
                   us
                   a
                   sight
                   of
                   the
                   causes
                   of
                   〈◊〉
                   intellectual
                   diversities
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   takes
                   us
                   off
                   from
                   expecting
                   an
                   〈◊〉
                   in
                   our
                   apprehensions
                   ;
                   wh●…reby
                   it
                   discovers
                   the
                   〈◊〉
                   of
                   making
                   harmony
                   in
                   o●…inion
                   ,
                   the
                   condition
                   of
                   Charity
                   and
                   Union
                   ;
                   and
                   of
                   being
                   angry
                   ,
                   and
                   dividing
                   upon
                   every
                   difference
                   of
                   judgment
                   ;
                   and
                   hereby
                   the
                   h●…riful
                   malignities
                   of
                   disputes
                   are
                   qualified
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   
                   disease
                   it self
                   is
                   undermined
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   V.
                   )
                   It
                   inclines
                   men
                   to
                   reckon
                   (
                   as
                   was
                   intimated
                   before
                   )
                   that
                   the
                   
                     Essential
                     Principles
                  
                   of
                   Religion
                   lye
                   in
                   the
                   
                     plain
                     ,
                     certain
                  
                   Articles
                   .
                   For
                   Philosophers
                   are
                   disposed
                   to
                   think
                   ,
                   by
                   converse
                   with
                   Nature
                   ,
                   that
                   certainty
                   is
                   in
                   very
                   few
                   things
                   ;
                   and
                   whoever
                   believes
                   so
                   concerning
                   the
                   tenents
                   of
                   Theology
                   ,
                   will
                   not
                   lay
                   the
                   main
                   stress
                   upon
                   any
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   clear
                   ,
                   acknowledg'd
                   Principles
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   doth
                   that
                   ,
                   serves
                   all
                   the
                   important
                   concernments
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                   He
                   will
                   not
                   not
                   wrangle
                   for
                   every
                   conceit
                   ;
                   nor
                   divide
                   for
                   every
                   difference
                   ;
                   but
                   takes
                   care
                   to
                   walk
                   in
                   the
                   ways
                   of
                   
                     Charity
                     ,
                     Humble
                     Obedience
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   Conscionable
                   practice
                   of
                   the
                   Truths
                   he
                   knows
                   and
                   owns
                   .
                   By
                   such
                   a
                   course
                   the
                   Church
                   is
                   safe
                   ,
                   and
                   
                   Schisms
                   are
                   prevented
                   :
                   Yea
                   Popery
                   is
                   disappointed
                   by
                   it
                   in
                   most
                   of
                   the
                   considerable
                   things
                   it
                   hath
                   to
                   say
                   ;
                   which
                   indeed
                   arise
                   from
                   the
                   consideration
                   of
                   the
                   vast
                   diversities
                   of
                   opinions
                   in
                   Religion
                   ,
                   that
                   seem
                   to
                   infer
                   the
                   necessity
                   of
                   a
                   
                     Judge
                     of
                     Controversies
                  
                   to
                   setle
                   mens
                   minds
                   in
                   the
                   right
                   way
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   rectifie
                   the
                   consequent
                   disorders
                   ;
                   whereas
                   if
                   this
                   be
                   stood
                   to
                   ,
                   That
                   
                     the
                     necessary
                     Christian
                     Articles
                     are
                     plain
                     ,
                     and
                     acknowledg'd
                     ,
                  
                   There
                   will
                   be
                   no
                   need
                   of
                   a
                   Judge
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   all
                   the
                   most
                   specious
                   pretensions
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                   of
                   Rome
                   sink
                   to
                   the
                   ground
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   VI.
                   )
                   The
                   
                     Real
                     Philosophy
                  
                   tends
                   to
                   the
                   ending
                   of
                   disputes
                   ,
                   by
                   taking
                   men
                   off
                   from
                   
                     unnecessary
                     Terms
                  
                   of
                   Art
                   ,
                   which
                   very
                   often
                   are
                   occasions
                   of
                   great
                   contests
                   :
                   
                   If
                   things
                   were
                   stated
                   in
                   clear
                   ,
                   and
                   plain
                   words
                   ,
                   many
                   Controversies
                   would
                   be
                   at
                   an
                   end
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   Philosophy
                   I
                   am
                   recommending
                   ,
                   inclines
                   men
                   to
                   define
                   with
                   those
                   that
                   are
                   simplest
                   and
                   plainest
                   ,
                   and
                   thereby
                   also
                   very
                   much
                   p●…omotes
                   the
                   interests
                   both
                   of
                   truth
                   and
                   peace
                   .
                
                 
                   Thus
                   I
                   have
                   shewn
                   briefly
                   how
                   the
                   real
                   Philosophy
                   tends
                   to
                   the
                   overthrow
                   of
                   the
                   pugnacious
                   
                     disputing
                     humour
                  
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   so
                   hurtful
                   to
                   Religion
                   .
                   To
                   co●…firm
                   which
                   we
                   may
                   observe
                   ,
                   that
                   where-ever
                   this
                   sort
                   of
                   knowledge
                   prevails
                   ,
                   the
                   
                     Contentious
                     Divinity
                  
                   loseth
                   ground
                   ,
                   and
                   't
                   will
                   be
                   hard
                   to
                   find
                   any
                   of
                   those
                   Philosophers
                   a
                   zealous
                   Votary
                   of
                   a
                   Sect
                   :
                   which
                   reservedness
                   gives
                   occasion
                   indeed
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   are
                   so
                   ,
                   to
                   accuse
                   them
                   
                   of
                   Atheism
                   ,
                   and
                   Irreligion
                   ;
                   but
                   it
                   is
                   really
                   no
                   Argument
                   of
                   less
                   Piety
                   ,
                   but
                   of
                   more
                   wisdom
                   ,
                   and
                   conduct
                   .
                   And
                   't
                   would
                   make
                   much
                   for
                   the
                   advantage
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   own
                   ,
                   if
                   those
                   fierce
                   men
                   would
                   understand
                   ,
                   that
                   Christianity
                   should
                   teach
                   them
                   that
                   ,
                   which
                   they
                   rail
                   against
                   in
                   the
                   Philosophers
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   now
                   I
                   must
                   expect
                   to
                   hear
                   ,
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   III.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   I.
                   )
                   THAT
                   disputes
                   serve
                   to
                   discover
                   truth
                   ;
                   as
                   by
                   the
                   collision
                   of
                   two
                   flints
                   one
                   against
                   another
                   ,
                   those
                   sparks
                   are
                   produced
                   ,
                   and
                   excited
                   ,
                   that
                   before
                   were
                   latent
                   in
                   them
                   :
                   So
                   that
                   the
                   
                     real
                     Philosophy
                  
                   upon
                   this
                   account
                   doth
                   rather
                   disserve
                   then
                   
                   promote
                   the
                   concerns
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                
                 
                   To
                   which
                   I
                   answer
                   ,
                   (
                   I.
                   )
                   That
                   all
                   the
                   
                     necessary
                     ,
                     material
                  
                   truths
                   in
                   Divinity
                   are
                   already
                   discover'd
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   have
                   no
                   need
                   of
                   
                     New
                     Lights
                  
                   there
                   ,
                   the
                   Antientest
                   are
                   truest
                   ,
                   and
                   b●…st
                   ,
                   though
                   in
                   the
                   disquisitions
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   there
                   will
                   be
                   always
                   occasions
                   of
                   proceeding
                   .
                   But
                   I
                   adde
                   ,
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   Disputes
                   are
                   one
                   of
                   the
                   worst
                   ways
                   to
                   
                     discover
                     Truth
                  
                   ;
                   If
                   new
                   things
                   were
                   to
                   be
                   found
                   out
                   in
                   Religion
                   ,
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   Nature
                   ,
                   they
                   would
                   scarce
                   be
                   disclosed
                   by
                   this
                   way
                   of
                   enquiry
                   .
                   A
                   calm
                   judgment
                   ,
                   and
                   distinct
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   and
                   impartial
                   consideration
                   of
                   many
                   things
                   ,
                   are
                   necessary
                   for
                   the
                   
                     finding
                     truth
                  
                   which
                   lyes
                   deep
                   ,
                   and
                   is
                   mingled
                   up
                   and
                   and
                   down
                   with
                   much
                   errour
                   ,
                   and
                   
                   specious
                   falshood
                   ;
                   and
                   't
                   is
                   hard
                   ,
                   if
                   not
                   utterly
                   impossible
                   ,
                   to
                   preserve
                   any
                   one
                   of
                   these
                   in
                   the
                   heat
                   of
                   disputation
                   .
                   In
                   such
                   occasions
                   the
                   mind
                   is
                   commonly
                   disordered
                   by
                   passion
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   thoughts
                   are
                   confused
                   ,
                   and
                   our
                   considerations
                   tyed
                   to
                   those
                   things
                   which
                   give
                   colour
                   to
                   our
                   opinions
                   .
                   We
                   are
                   biast
                   by
                   our
                   affections
                   towards
                   our
                   own
                   conceits
                   ,
                   and
                   our
                   love
                   to
                   them
                   is
                   in●…lamed
                   by
                   opposition
                   ;
                   we
                   are
                   made
                   incapable
                   of
                   entertaining
                   the
                   assistance
                   of
                   our
                   opposites
                   suggestions
                   by
                   
                     strong
                     prejudice
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   inc●…ined
                   to
                   quarrel
                   with
                   every
                   thing
                   he
                   sai●…h
                   by
                   spight
                   ,
                   and
                   desire
                   of
                   triumph
                   :
                   and
                   these
                   are
                   ill
                   circumstances
                   for
                   the
                   discovery
                   of
                   truth
                   :
                   He
                   is
                   a
                   wonderful
                   man
                   indeed
                   that
                   can
                   thread
                   a
                   needle
                   when
                   he
                   is
                   at
                   Cudgels
                   in
                   a
                   crowd
                   ,
                   and
                   yet
                   this
                   is
                   as
                   easie
                   ,
                   as
                   
                   to
                   find
                   truth
                   in
                   the
                   hurry
                   of
                   dispute
                   .
                   The
                   Apo●…
                   intimates
                   ,
                   〈◊〉
                   Tim.
                   VI.
                   5.
                   
                   That
                   
                     perverse
                     Disputers
                  
                   are
                   destitute
                   of
                   truth
                   ,
                   and
                   tells
                   us
                   ,
                   that
                   of
                   the
                   strife
                   of
                   words
                   come
                   
                     envy
                     ,
                     railings
                     ,
                     evil
                     surmisings
                     ,
                  
                   but
                   no
                   discovery
                   of
                   
                     unknown
                     verities
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   we
                   are
                   commanded
                   to
                   
                     contend
                     earne●…ly
                     for
                     the
                     faith
                     that
                     was
                     once
                     delivered
                     to
                     the
                     Saints
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   hereby
                   Heresies
                   are
                   confuted
                   ,
                   and
                   overthrown
                   .
                
                 
                   To
                   this
                   pretence
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   That
                   by
                   the
                   Faith
                   we
                   are
                   to
                   contend
                   for
                   ,
                   I
                   conceive
                   ,
                   the
                   Essentials
                   ,
                   and
                   certain
                   Articles
                   are
                   meant
                   ;
                   These
                   we
                   may
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   ought
                   to
                   endeavour
                   to
                   defend
                   ,
                   and
                   promote
                   as
                   there
                   is
                   occasion
                   ;
                   and
                   we
                   have
                   seen
                   how
                   the
                   
                     Real
                     Philosophy
                  
                   will
                   help
                   our
                   Reasons
                   for
                   that
                   service
                   .
                   But
                   
                     pious
                     contentions
                  
                   for
                   these
                   are
                   not
                   the
                   disputings
                   
                   I
                   meant
                   ,
                   for
                   I
                   defined
                   the
                   humour
                   of
                   disputing
                   in
                   the
                   entrance
                   on
                   this
                   Head
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   stiff
                   in
                   the
                   belief
                   of
                   
                     uncertain
                     opinions
                     ,
                     affirming
                  
                   them
                   with
                   confidence
                   ,
                   and
                   quarrelling
                   with
                   every
                   different
                   sentiment
                   ;
                   To
                   dispute
                   about
                   such
                   matters
                   of
                   
                     doubtful
                     Speculation
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   manner
                   specified
                   ,
                   is
                   no
                   contending
                   for
                   the
                   Faith
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   way
                   to
                   make
                   shipwrack
                   of
                   it
                   .
                   As
                   for
                   those
                   other
                   Disputes
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   requisite
                   for
                   the
                   convincing
                   m●…n
                   of
                   the
                   Truths
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   great
                   Articles
                   thereof
                   ;
                   and
                   for
                   the
                   disproving
                   Infidelity
                   and
                   Heresie
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   necessary
                   ,
                   and
                   Philosophy
                   is
                   an
                   excellent
                   Instrument
                   in
                   such
                   Contests
                   .
                
                 
                   So
                   that
                   those
                   other
                   objections
                   that
                   might
                   be
                   alledged
                   against
                   my
                   Discourse
                   from
                   the
                   necessity
                   of
                   proving
                   
                   and
                   trying
                   our
                   Faith
                   ,
                   and
                   convincing
                   Hereticks
                   ;
                   From
                   the
                   example
                   of
                   our
                   Saviour's
                   disputing
                   with
                   the
                   Doctors
                   and
                   the
                   Sadduces
                   ;
                   and
                   of
                   S.
                   Paul
                   at
                   Athens
                   with
                   the
                   
                     Jews
                     ;
                     These
                  
                   little
                   Cavils
                   ,
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   and
                   such
                   like
                   ,
                   can
                   signifie
                   nothing
                   to
                   the
                   disadvantage
                   of
                   what
                   I
                   have
                   said
                   against
                   the
                   humour
                   of
                   disputing
                   about
                   doubtful
                   ,
                   and
                   uncertain
                   opinions
                   ,
                   to
                   which
                   the
                   
                     Real
                     Philosophy
                  
                   is
                   destructive
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   thus
                   I
                   have
                   sh●…wn
                   under
                   five
                   mat●…rial
                   ●…ads
                   ,
                   That
                   the
                   Knowledge
                   of
                   Nature
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Works
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   promotes
                   the
                   greatest
                   interests
                   of
                   Religion
                   ;
                   and
                   by
                   the
                   three
                   last
                   it
                   appears
                   how
                   Fundamentally
                   opposite
                   it
                   is
                   to
                   all
                   Schism
                   and
                   Fana●…
                   ,
                   which
                   are
                   made
                   up
                   and
                   occasioned
                   by
                   
                     Superstition
                     ,
                     En●…siasm
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     ignorant
                     ,
                     perverse
                  
                   
                   disputings
                   .
                   So
                   that
                   for
                   Atheists
                   and
                   Sadduces
                   ,
                   and
                   Fanaticks
                   to
                   rail
                   against
                   Philosophy
                   ,
                   is
                   not
                   at
                   all
                   strange
                   ;
                   'T
                   is
                   no
                   more
                   than
                   what
                   may
                   well
                   be
                   expected
                   from
                   such
                   Cattel
                   ;
                   Philosophy
                   is
                   their
                   enemy
                   ;
                   and
                   it
                   concerns
                   them
                   to
                   disparage
                   and
                   reproach
                   it
                   :
                   But
                   for
                   Religious
                   ,
                   and
                   sober
                   men
                   to
                   do
                   any
                   thing
                   so
                   unadvised
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   prejudicial
                   to
                   Religion
                   ,
                   is
                   wonde●…ul
                   ,
                   and
                   deplorable
                   :
                   To
                   set
                   these
                   right
                   in
                   their
                   Judgment
                   about
                   Philosophical
                   inquiry
                   into
                   
                     Gods
                     Works
                  
                   ,
                   is
                   the
                   principal
                   design
                   of
                   these
                   Papers
                   ;
                   and
                   in
                   order
                   to
                   the
                   further
                   promoting
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   I
                   advance
                   to
                   the
                   last
                   Head
                   of
                   Discourse
                   proposed
                   ,
                   viz.
                   
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 VII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   
                     That
                     the
                     Ministers
                     ,
                     and
                     Professors
                     of
                     Religion
                     ought
                     not
                     to
                     discourage
                     Philosophy
                     .
                  
                   The
                   slanders
                   and
                   objections
                   against
                   it
                   ,
                   answered
                   ,
                   
                     viz.
                     That
                     of
                     Atheism
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   other
                   of
                   its
                   tending
                   to
                   the
                   lessening
                   our
                   value
                   of
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   ,
                   fully
                   confuted
                   .
                   It
                   teacheth
                   no
                   Doctrines
                   contrary
                   to
                   Gods
                   Word
                   ;
                   Those
                   of
                   the
                   motion
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                   and
                   
                     terrestrial
                     Nature
                  
                   of
                   the
                   Moon
                   ,
                   consider'd
                   ,
                   as
                   they
                   refer
                   to
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   I.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   IV.
                   )
                   
                     THat
                     the
                     Ministers
                     ,
                     and
                     Professors
                     of
                     Religion
                     
                     ought
                     not
                     to
                     discourage
                     ,
                     but
                     promote
                     the
                     Knowledge
                     of
                     Nature
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Works
                     of
                     its
                     Author
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   result
                   of
                   the
                   whole
                   matter
                   ,
                   and
                   follows
                   evidently
                   from
                   all
                   that
                   went
                   before
                   ,
                   which
                   though
                   it
                   will
                   not
                   infer
                   a
                   necessity
                   of
                   all
                   mens
                   deep
                   search
                   into
                   Nature
                   ,
                   yet
                   this
                   it
                   will
                   ,
                   That
                   no
                   Friend
                   or
                   Servant
                   of
                   Religion
                   should
                   ●…inder
                   ,
                   or
                   discountenance
                   such
                   inquiries
                   .
                   And
                   though
                   most
                   private
                   Christians
                   ,
                   and
                   some
                   publick
                   Ministers
                   have
                   neither
                   leisure
                   ,
                   nor
                   ability
                   to
                   look
                   into
                   matters
                   of
                   natural
                   research
                   ,
                   and
                   inquisition
                   ;
                   yet
                   they
                   ought
                   to
                   think
                   candidly
                   ,
                   and
                   wish
                   well
                   to
                   the
                   endeavours
                   of
                   those
                   that
                   have
                   ;
                   and
                   't
                   is
                   a
                   sin
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   folly
                   either
                   in
                   the
                   one
                   or
                   other
                   to
                   censure
                   ,
                   or
                   discourage
                   those
                   worthy
                   undertakings
                   .
                   
                   Upon
                   which
                   accounts
                   it
                   grieves
                   me
                   to
                   see
                   ,
                   how
                   ap●…
                   some
                   are
                   ,
                   that
                   pretend
                   much
                   to
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   some
                   that
                   minister
                   in
                   it
                   ,
                   to
                   load
                   those
                   that
                   are
                   studious
                   of
                   Gods
                   Works
                   with
                   all
                   the
                   odious
                   names
                   that
                   contempt
                   ,
                   and
                   spig●…t
                   can
                   suggest
                   ;
                   The
                   Irreligion
                   of
                   which
                   injurious
                   carriage
                   nothing
                   can
                   ●…xcuse
                   ,
                   but
                   their
                   
                     ignorance
                     ▪
                  
                   A●…d
                   I
                   will
                   rather
                   hope
                   that
                   they
                   neither
                   know
                   what
                   they
                   say
                   ,
                   nor
                   what
                   they
                   do
                   ,
                   than
                   believe
                   that
                   they
                   have
                   any
                   direct
                   design
                   against
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   their
                   Maker
                   ,
                   or
                   against
                   any
                   la●…dable
                   endeavours
                   to
                   promote
                   it
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   know
                   well
                   ,
                   what
                   mischief
                   prejudice
                   will
                   do
                   ,
                   ev●…n
                   upon
                   minds
                   that
                   otherwise
                   are
                   
                     very
                     honest
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     intelligent
                     enough
                  
                   .
                   And
                   there
                   are
                   many
                   common
                   slanders
                   ,
                   and
                   some
                   plausible
                   objections
                   in
                   the
                   mouths
                   of
                   the
                   
                   Zealous
                   against
                   Philosophy
                   ,
                   which
                   have
                   begot
                   an
                   ill
                   opinion
                   of
                   it
                   in
                   well-meaning
                   men
                   ,
                   who
                   have
                   never
                   examined
                   things
                   deeply
                   :
                   For
                   the
                   sake
                   of
                   such
                   ,
                   I
                   shall
                   produce
                   the
                   most
                   considerable
                   allegations
                   of
                   both
                   sorts
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   hope
                   mak●…
                   such
                   returns
                   to
                   them
                   ,
                   as
                   may
                   be
                   ●…fficient
                   to
                   sati●…
                   those
                   whose
                   minds
                   are
                   not
                   barr'd
                   by
                   obstinacy
                   ,
                   or
                   ignorance
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   I
                   Speak
                   first
                   of
                   the
                   bold
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     broad
                     slanders
                  
                   ,
                   among
                   which
                   ,
                   that
                
                 
                   (
                   I.
                   )
                   Of
                   Atheism
                   is
                   one
                   of
                   the
                   most
                   ordinary
                   ;
                   But
                   certainly
                   't
                   is
                   one
                   of
                   the
                   most
                   unjust
                   accusations
                   that
                   malice
                   ,
                   and
                   ignorance
                   could
                   have
                   invented
                   ;
                   This
                   I
                   need
                   not
                   be
                   industrious
                   to
                   prove
                   here
                   ,
                   having
                   
                   made
                   it
                   appear
                   that
                   Philosophy
                   is
                   one
                   of
                   the
                   best
                   Weapons
                   in
                   the
                   World
                   to
                   defend
                   Religion
                   against
                   it
                   ;
                   and
                   my
                   whole
                   Discourse
                   is
                   a
                   confutation
                   of
                   this
                   spightful
                   ,
                   and
                   ridiculous
                   charge
                   .
                   'T
                   is
                   true
                   ind●…ed
                   the
                   men
                   of
                   the
                   Epi●…urean
                   sort
                   have
                   left
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   Providence
                   out
                   of
                   their
                   accounts
                   ;
                   But
                   then
                   
                     other
                     Philosophers
                  
                   have
                   shewn
                   what
                   fools
                   they
                   are
                   for
                   doing
                   so
                   ,
                   and
                   how
                   absurd
                   their
                   pretended
                   Philosophy
                   is
                   ,
                   in
                   supposing
                   things
                   to
                   have
                   been
                   made
                   and
                   ordered
                   by
                   the
                   casual
                   hits
                   of
                   Atoms
                   ,
                   in
                   a
                   
                     mighty
                     void
                  
                   .
                   A
                   d
                   though
                   their
                   general
                   Doctrine
                   of
                   Matter
                   ,
                   and
                   Motion
                   be
                   ●…xceeding
                   ancient
                   ,
                   and
                   very
                   accountable
                   ,
                   when
                   we
                   suppos●…
                   matter
                   was
                   at
                   first
                   created
                   by
                   almighty
                   Power
                   ,
                   and
                   it's
                   
                     motions
                     ordered
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   directed
                   by
                   omniscient
                   Wisdom
                   ;
                   Yet
                   the
                   supposal
                   
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   independent
                   ,
                   and
                   eternal
                   ,
                   is
                   very
                   precarious
                   ,
                   and
                   unreasonable
                   ;
                   And
                   that
                   all
                   the
                   regular
                   motions
                   in
                   Nature
                   ,
                   should
                   be
                   from
                   
                     blind
                     tumultuous
                  
                   jumblings
                   ,
                   is
                   the
                   most
                   unphilos●…phical
                   pha●…e
                   ,
                   and
                   ridiculous
                   dotag●…
                   in
                   the
                   world
                   ;
                   So
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   ●…ason
                   to
                   accuse
                   Philosophy
                   of
                   a
                   fault
                   ,
                   which
                   Philosophy
                   sufficiently
                   shames
                   ,
                   and
                   disproves
                   ;
                   and
                   yet
                   I
                   doubt
                   there
                   are
                   many
                   have
                   great
                   prejudice
                   against
                   it
                   upon
                   this
                   score
                   ;
                   and
                   't
                   is
                   a
                   particular
                   brand
                   upon
                   some
                   of
                   the
                   modern
                   men
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   have
                   revived
                   the
                   Philosophy
                   of
                   Epicurus
                   ,
                   which
                   they
                   think
                   to
                   be
                   in
                   it
                   's
                   whole
                   extent
                   Atheistical
                   ,
                   and
                   irreligious
                   .
                
                 
                   To
                   which
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   opinion
                   of
                   the
                   world's
                   being
                   made
                   by
                   a
                   
                     fortuitous
                     jumble
                  
                   of
                   Atoms
                   ,
                   is
                   impious
                   and
                   abominable
                   .
                   This
                   those
                   of
                   
                   Epicurus
                   his
                   elder
                   School
                   taught
                   ;
                   whereas
                   the
                   late
                   Restorers
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Corpuscularian
                     Hypothesis
                  
                   hate
                   ,
                   and
                   despise
                   the
                   vile
                   Doctrine
                   ;
                   But
                   yet
                   they
                   thus
                   far
                   think
                   the
                   
                     Atomical
                     Philosophy
                     reasonable
                     ,
                     viz.
                  
                   as
                   it
                   teacheth
                   ,
                   
                     That
                     the
                     operations
                     of
                     Nature
                     are
                     performed
                     by
                     subtile
                     streams
                     of
                     minute
                     bodies
                     ,
                     and
                     not
                     by
                     I
                     know
                     not
                     what
                     imaginary
                     qualiti●…s
                     ,
                     and
                     forms
                     :
                  
                   They
                   think
                   ,
                   
                     That
                     the
                     various
                     motions
                     ,
                     and
                     figures
                     of
                     the
                     parts
                     of
                     matter
                     ,
                     are
                     enough
                     for
                     all
                     the
                     Phaenomena
                     ,
                     and
                     all
                     〈◊〉
                     varieties
                     ,
                     which
                     with
                     relation
                     to
                     our
                     senses
                     we
                     call
                     such
                     ,
                     and
                     such
                     qualities
                     .
                  
                   But
                   then
                   they
                   suppose
                   ,
                   and
                   teach
                   ,
                   
                     That
                     God
                     cre●…ted
                     matter
                     ,
                     and
                     is
                     the
                     supreme
                     Orderer
                     of
                     its
                     motions
                     ,
                     by
                     which
                     all
                     those
                     diversities
                     are
                     made
                     :
                  
                   And
                   hereby
                   Piety
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Faith
                   of
                   Providence
                   is
                   secured
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   This
                   ,
                   as
                   far
                   as
                   we
                   know
                   any
                   thing
                   of
                   elder
                   times
                   ,
                   was
                   the
                   ancient
                   Philosophy
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   doth
                   not
                   in
                   the
                   least
                   grate
                   upon
                   any
                   Principle
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                   Thus
                   far
                   I
                   dare
                   say
                   I
                   may
                   undertake
                   for
                   most
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Corpuscularian
                     Philosophers
                  
                   of
                   our
                   times
                   ,
                   excepting
                   those
                   of
                   Mr.
                   
                   Hobb's
                   way
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   therefore
                   I
                   cannot
                   but
                   wonder
                   that
                   a
                   person
                   of
                   so
                   much
                   reason
                   ,
                   learning
                   ,
                   and
                   inge●…ty
                   as
                   Mr.
                   Baxter
                   ,
                   should
                   seem
                   to
                   conclude
                   those
                   Modern
                   Philosophers
                   under
                   the
                   name
                   ,
                   and
                   notion
                   of
                   such
                   Somatists
                   ,
                   as
                   are
                   for
                   
                     meer
                     matter
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   motion
                   ,
                   and
                   exclude
                   immaterial
                   beings
                   ;
                   This
                   ,
                   I
                   take
                   it
                   ,
                   he
                   doth
                   in
                   his
                   Defence
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Souls
                     Immortality
                  
                   ,
                   at
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   his
                   Reasons
                   of
                   Religion
                   :
                   whereas
                   those
                   Philosophers
                   ,
                   though
                   they
                   owne
                   matter
                   ,
                   and
                   motion
                   
                   as
                   the
                   material
                   and
                   formal
                   causes
                   of
                   the
                   Phaenomena
                   ;
                   They
                   do
                   yet
                   acknowledge
                   Gods
                   efficiency
                   ,
                   and
                   Government
                   of
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   with
                   as
                   much
                   seriousness
                   ,
                   and
                   contend
                   for
                   it
                   with
                   as
                   much
                   zeal
                   ,
                   as
                   any
                   Philosophers
                   or
                   Divines
                   whatsoever
                   .
                   And
                   't
                   is
                   very
                   hard
                   that
                   any
                   number
                   of
                   men
                   should
                   be
                   exposed
                   to
                   the
                   suspicion
                   of
                   being
                   Atheists
                   ,
                   for
                   denying
                   the
                   
                     Peripatetick
                     Qualities
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   Forms
                   ;
                   and
                   there
                   is
                   nothing
                   else
                   overthrown
                   by
                   the
                   Corpuscularian
                   Doctrines
                   ,
                   as
                   they
                   are
                   managed
                   by
                   
                     those
                     Philosophers
                  
                   .
                   So
                   that
                   methinks
                   that
                   Reverend
                   Author
                   hath
                   not
                   dealt
                   so
                   fairly
                   with
                   the
                   great
                   names
                   of
                   Des-Cartes
                   ,
                   and
                   Gassendus
                   ,
                   where
                   he
                   mentions
                   them
                   promiscuously
                   with
                   the
                   mee●…
                   Epicurean
                   and
                   
                     Hobbian
                     Somatists
                  
                   ,
                   without
                   any
                   note
                   to
                   distinguish
                   
                   them
                   from
                   
                     those
                     Sadduces
                  
                   ;
                   For
                   both
                   those
                   celebrated
                   men
                   have
                   laboured
                   much
                   in
                   asserting
                   the
                   grand
                   Articles
                   of
                   Religion
                   against
                   the
                   Infidel
                   ,
                   and
                   Atheist
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   inadvertency
                   of
                   that
                   pious
                   Divine
                   I
                   thought
                   sit
                   to
                   take
                   notice
                   of
                   ,
                   because
                   I
                   doubt
                   some
                   may
                   be
                   misled
                   into
                   an
                   undue
                   opinion
                   of
                   those
                   excellent
                   Persons
                   ,
                   and
                   others
                   of
                   their
                   way
                   ,
                   by
                   finding
                   their
                   names
                   among
                   those
                   of
                   an
                   
                     abhorred
                     Character
                  
                   ,
                   in
                   an
                   Author
                   of
                   so
                   much
                   note
                   .
                   I
                   say
                   't
                   is
                   for
                   this
                   reason
                   I
                   have
                   given
                   this
                   hint
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   out
                   of
                   any
                   humour
                   of
                   opposing
                   or
                   carping
                   at
                   that
                   worthy
                   Man
                   :
                   No
                   ,
                   I
                   think
                   he
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   honoured
                   much
                   for
                   his
                   
                     stout
                     ,
                     rational
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   successful
                   oppositions
                   of
                   the
                   mischievous
                   
                   Antinomian
                   ●…ollies
                   ,
                   when
                   the
                   current
                   Systematick
                   Divinity
                   ,
                   then
                   
                   called
                   Orthodox
                   ,
                   was
                   over-grown
                   with
                   them
                   ;
                   for
                   his
                   frequent
                   asserting
                   ,
                   and
                   vindicating
                   the
                   Reasonableness
                   of
                   Religion
                   against
                   the
                   madness
                   of
                   spreading
                   Enthusiasm
                   ;
                   for
                   his
                   earnest
                   endeavours
                   for
                   the
                   promotion
                   of
                   peace
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     universal
                     charity
                  
                   ,
                   when
                   't
                   was
                   held
                   a
                   great
                   crime
                   not
                   to
                   be
                   ●…ierce
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   a
                   Sect
                   ;
                   For
                   his
                   
                     quick
                     ,
                     piercing
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   serious
                   practical
                   Writings
                   :
                   I
                   say
                   I
                   judge
                   the
                   Author
                   ,
                   the
                   slip
                   of
                   whose
                   Pen
                   in
                   a
                   thing
                   relating
                   to
                   my
                   Subject
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   noted
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   person
                   worthy
                   of
                   great
                   respect
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   can
                   scarce
                   forbear
                   affirming
                   concerning
                   him
                   as
                   a
                   learned
                   Doctor
                   of
                   our
                   Church
                   did
                   ,
                   That
                   
                     he
                     was
                     the
                     only
                     man
                     that
                     spoke
                     sense
                     in
                     an
                     age
                     of
                     non-sense
                  
                   ;
                   He
                   meant
                   the
                   only
                   man
                   that
                   was
                   reckoned
                   among
                   the
                   people
                   of
                   those
                   times
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   madness
                   
                   of
                   which
                   he
                   contested
                   .
                   But
                   I
                   am
                   digress'd
                   .
                
                 
                   The
                   business
                   of
                   this
                   Section
                   hath
                   been
                   to
                   shew
                   that
                   the
                   charge
                   of
                   Atheism
                   against
                   the
                   
                     Real
                     Philo●…ophy
                  
                   is
                   a
                   gross
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     groundless
                     slander
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   hope
                   I
                   have
                   made
                   good
                   what
                   I
                   undertook
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   III.
                   
                
                 
                   BUT
                   (
                   2.
                   )
                   't
                   is
                   alledg'd
                   by
                   some
                   ,
                   That
                   
                     Philosophy
                     disposeth
                     〈◊〉
                     to
                     despise
                     the
                     Scriptures
                     ,
                  
                   or
                   
                     at
                     least
                     to
                     neglect
                     the
                     study
                     of
                     them
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   upon
                   that
                   account
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   exploded
                   among
                   Christians
                   .
                
                 
                   To
                   which
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   That
                   
                     Philosophy
                     is
                     the
                     knowledge
                     of
                     Gods
                     works
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   there
                   is
                   nothing
                   in
                   
                     Gods
                     Works
                  
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   contrary
                   to
                   
                     his
                     Word
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   how
                   then
                   should
                   the
                   study
                   of
                   the
                   
                   one
                   incline
                   men
                   to
                   despise
                   the
                   other
                   ?
                   Certainly
                   had
                   there
                   been
                   any
                   such
                   impious
                   tendency
                   in
                   searching
                   into
                   Gods
                   Works
                   to
                   the
                   lessening
                   of
                   our
                   value
                   of
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   ;
                   The
                   Scripture
                   it self
                   would
                   never
                   have
                   recommended
                   this
                   so
                   much
                   unto
                   us
                   ,
                   as
                   we
                   have
                   seen
                   it
                   doth
                   .
                   Yea
                   indeed
                   ,
                   this
                   is
                   so
                   far
                   from
                   being
                   ●…rue
                   ,
                   that
                   on
                   the
                   contrary
                   ,
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   
                     Gods
                     Works
                  
                   tends
                   in
                   its
                   proper
                   nature
                   to
                   dispose
                   men
                   to
                   love
                   ,
                   and
                   veneration
                   of
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   ;
                   For
                   by
                   converse
                   with
                   Nature
                   we
                   are
                   made
                   sensible
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Power
                     ,
                     Wisdom
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   Goodness
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   fresh
                   instances
                   of
                   which
                   we
                   shall
                   still
                   find
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   ;
                   And
                   't
                   is
                   one
                   great
                   design
                   of
                   the
                   Scripture
                   to
                   promote
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   
                     these
                     Attributes
                  
                   :
                   How
                   then
                   can
                   he
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   much
                   affected
                   with
                   them
                   ,
                   chuse
                   
                   but
                   love
                   ,
                   and
                   esteem
                   those
                   holy
                   Records
                   which
                   so
                   gloriously
                   illustrate
                   the
                   perfections
                   which
                   he
                   admires
                   ?
                
                 
                   Besides
                   ,
                   by
                   inquiry
                   into
                   
                     Gods
                     Works
                  
                   ,
                   we
                   discover
                   continually
                   how
                   little
                   we
                   can
                   comprehend
                   of
                   his
                   ways
                   ,
                   and
                   managements
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   is
                   sensible
                   of
                   this
                   ,
                   will
                   find
                   himself
                   more
                   inclined
                   to
                   reverence
                   the
                   declarations
                   of
                   his
                   
                     Word
                     ,
                     though
                     they
                     are
                     beyond
                     his
                     reach
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   
                     though
                     he
                     cannot
                     fathom
                     those
                     Mysteries
                     ,
                     he
                     is
                     required
                     to
                     believe
                     :
                  
                   Such
                   a
                   disposition
                   is
                   necessary
                   for
                   the
                   securing
                   our
                   reverence
                   to
                   the
                   Divine
                   Oracles
                   ,
                   and
                   Philosophy
                   promotes
                   it
                   much
                   .
                
                 
                   So
                   that
                   though
                   't
                   is
                   like
                   enough
                   there
                   may
                   be
                   those
                   that
                   pretend
                   to
                   Philosophy
                   who
                   have
                   less
                   veneration
                   ,
                   and
                   respect
                   for
                   the
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   than
                   they
                   ought
                   ,
                   yet
                   that
                   impious
                   
                   disesteem
                   of
                   those
                   sacred
                   Writings
                   is
                   no
                   effect
                   of
                   their
                   Philosophy
                   ,
                   but
                   of
                   their
                   corrupt
                   ,
                   and
                   evil
                   inclinations
                   .
                   And
                   to
                   remove
                   the
                   scandal
                   brought
                   upon
                   natural
                   wisdom
                   by
                   those
                   Pretenders
                   ,
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   observed
                   ,
                   that
                   none
                   are
                   more
                   earnest
                   ,
                   or
                   mo●…
                   ●…requent
                   in
                   the
                   proo●…
                   ,
                   and
                   recommendation
                   of
                   the
                   Authority
                   of
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   than
                   those
                   of
                   Philosophi●…al
                   inclination
                   and
                   genius
                   ,
                   who
                   by
                   their
                   publick
                   capacity
                   ,
                   and
                   profession
                   ,
                   have
                   the
                   best
                   opportunities
                   to
                   give
                   testimony
                   to
                   the
                   honour
                   of
                   that
                   Divine
                   Book
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   besides
                   the
                   many
                   Sermons
                   that
                   are
                   continually
                   preach't
                   ,
                   (
                   but
                   no
                   further
                   publish't
                   )
                   by
                   the
                   Divines
                   that
                   are
                   disposed
                   to
                   this
                   sort
                   of
                   knowledge
                   ,
                   I
                   may
                   for
                   instance
                   mention
                   the
                   excellent
                   performanof
                   those
                   
                     incomparable
                     Philosophers
                  
                   ,
                   
                   the
                   present
                   most
                   learned
                   Bishop
                   of
                   Sarum
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   deservedly
                   famous
                   Mr.
                   Boyle
                   :
                   the
                   former
                   in
                   the
                   Essay
                   before
                   mentioned
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   a
                   late
                   
                     ●…lose
                     ,
                     smart
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   judicious
                   Sermon
                   ag●…inst
                   the
                   Antiscripturists
                   ;
                   and
                   in
                   another
                   annext
                   against
                   Infidelity
                   (
                   newly
                   Printed
                   )
                   hath
                   with
                   great
                   
                     perspicuity
                     ,
                     strength
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   demonstrative
                   order
                   refuted
                   and
                   shamed
                   the
                   pretensions
                   of
                   the
                   In●…
                   ,
                   and
                   roundly
                   proved
                   the
                   
                     Divine
                     Authority
                  
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Volume
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   other
                   excellent
                   Philosopher
                   Mr.
                   Boyle
                   ,
                   in
                   a
                   most
                   elegant
                   and
                   learned
                   Discourse
                   concerning
                   the
                   Style
                   of
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   hath
                   vindicated
                   those
                   inspired
                   Writings
                   from
                   the
                   cavils
                   ,
                   and
                   exceptions
                   of
                   the
                   nice
                   Wits
                   of
                   men
                   of
                   corrupt
                   minds
                   :
                   which
                   performances
                   of
                   these
                   two
                   deep
                   and
                   pious
                   Inquirers
                   into
                   
                   Gods
                   Works
                   ,
                   may
                   with
                   better
                   reason
                   be
                   pleaded
                   for
                   the
                   Piety
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   in
                   reference
                   to
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   ;
                   then
                   the
                   irreverences
                   of
                   any
                   that
                   pretend
                   to
                   natural
                   wisdom
                   ,
                   can
                   be
                   alledged
                   against
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   IV.
                   
                
                 
                   BUT
                   to
                   justifie
                   the
                   imputation
                   of
                   the
                   disservice
                   Philosophy
                   doth
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   ,
                   it
                   may
                   by
                   some
                   be
                   pleaded
                   ,
                
                 
                   That
                   
                     Philosophy
                     ,
                     viz.
                     that
                  
                   which
                   is
                   called
                   the
                   new
                   ,
                   teacheth
                   Doctrines
                   that
                   are
                   contrary
                   to
                   the
                   
                     Word
                     of
                     God
                  
                   ,
                   or
                   at
                   least
                   such
                   as
                   we
                   have
                   no
                   ground
                   from
                   Scripture
                   to
                   believe
                   ;
                   as
                   for
                   instance
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   
                     Earth
                     moves
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   the
                   
                     Moon
                     is
                     of
                     a
                     terrestrial
                  
                   nature
                   ,
                   and
                   habitable
                   ;
                   which
                   opinions
                   are
                   supposed
                   
                   to
                   be
                   impious
                   ,
                   and
                   Antiscriptural
                   .
                
                 
                   In
                   return
                   to
                   this
                   Objection
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                
                 
                   (
                   1.
                   )
                   In
                   the
                   general
                   ,
                   That
                   't
                   is
                   true
                   indeed
                   ,
                   that
                   Philosophy
                   teacheth
                   many
                   things
                   which
                   are
                   not
                   revealed
                   in
                   Scripture
                   ;
                   for
                   this
                   was
                   not
                   intended
                   to
                   instruct
                   men
                   in
                   the
                   affairs
                   of
                   Nature
                   ,
                   but
                   its
                   design
                   is
                   ,
                   to
                   direct
                   Mankind
                   ,
                   and
                   even
                   those
                   of
                   the
                   plainest
                   understandings
                   ,
                   in
                   life
                   ,
                   and
                   manners
                   ,
                   to
                   propose
                   to
                   us
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   Happiness
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   principles
                   that
                   are
                   necessary
                   to
                   guide
                   us
                   in
                   it
                   ;
                   with
                   the
                   several
                   motives
                   ,
                   and
                   incouragements
                   that
                   are
                   proper
                   to
                   excite
                   our
                   endeavours
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   bear
                   them
                   up
                   against
                   all
                   difficulties
                   and
                   
                     temptations
                     .
                     This
                  
                   ,
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   was
                   the
                   chief
                   design
                   of
                   that
                   Divine
                   Book
                   ;
                   and
                   therefore
                   't
                   is
                   accommodated
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   main
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   most
                   ordinary
                   
                   capacities
                   ,
                   and
                   speaks
                   after
                   
                     our
                     manner
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   suitably
                   to
                   sense
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     vulgar
                     conception
                  
                   .
                   Thus
                   we
                   ●…ind
                   that
                   the
                   Clouds
                   are
                   called
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   the
                   
                     Moon
                     one
                  
                   of
                   the
                   
                     greater
                     Lights
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Stars
                   mentioned
                   ,
                   as
                   
                     less
                     considerable
                  
                   :
                   and
                   the
                   Stars
                   also
                   ,
                   Gen.
                   1.
                   
                   We
                   read
                   of
                   the
                   going
                   down
                   of
                   the
                   Sun
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   ends
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   Heavers
                   ,
                   and
                   divers
                   other
                   such
                   expressions
                   are
                   in
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   ,
                   which
                   plainly
                   intimate
                   unto
                   us
                   ,
                   That
                   they
                   do
                   not
                   concern
                   themselves
                   to
                   rec●…
                   the
                   mistakes
                   of
                   the
                   vulgar
                   ,
                   in
                   Philosophical
                   Theories
                   ,
                   but
                   comply
                   with
                   their
                   infirmities
                   ,
                   and
                   speak
                   according
                   as
                   they
                   can
                   understand
                   .
                   So
                   that
                   ,
                
                 
                   (
                   2.
                   )
                   No
                   Tenent
                   in
                   Philosophy
                   ought
                   to
                   be
                   condemned
                   ,
                   and
                   exploded
                   ,
                   because
                   there
                   may
                   be
                   some
                   
                   occasional
                   sayings
                   in
                   the
                   Divine
                   Oracles
                   ,
                   which
                   seem
                   not
                   to
                   comport
                   with
                   it
                   ;
                   And
                   therefore
                   the
                   Problems
                   mentioned
                   ,
                   concerning
                   the
                   Motion
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     terrestrial
                     Nature
                  
                   of
                   the
                   Moon
                   ,
                   ought
                   to
                   be
                   left
                   to
                   the
                   Disquisitions
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   :
                   The
                   
                     Word
                     of
                     God
                  
                   determines
                   nothing
                   about
                   them
                   ;
                   for
                   those
                   expressions
                   ,
                   concerning
                   the
                   running
                   of
                   the
                   Sun
                   ,
                   and
                   its
                   standing
                   still
                   ,
                   may
                   very
                   well
                   be
                   interpreted
                   as
                   spoken
                   by
                   way
                   of
                   accommodation
                   to
                   sense
                   ,
                   and
                   common
                   apprehension
                   ,
                   as
                   't
                   is
                   certain
                   ,
                   that
                   those
                   of
                   its
                   
                     going
                     down
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     running
                     from
                     one
                     end
                     of
                     the
                     Heavens
                     to
                     the
                     other
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   numerous
                   resembling
                   sayings
                   ,
                   are
                   so
                   to
                   be
                   understood
                   .
                   And
                   when
                   't
                   is
                   else
                   where
                   said
                   ,
                   That
                   the
                   foundations
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                   are
                   so
                   fixt
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   cannot
                   be
                   moved
                   at
                   any
                   
                   time
                   ,
                   or
                   to
                   that
                   purpose
                   ;
                   'T
                   is
                   supposed
                   by
                   Learned
                   men
                   ,
                   that
                   nothing
                   else
                   is
                   meant
                   than
                   this
                   ,
                   That
                   the
                   Earth
                   cannot
                   be
                   moved
                   from
                   its
                   Centre
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   no
                   prejudice
                   to
                   the
                   opinion
                   of
                   its
                   being
                   
                     moved
                     upon
                     it
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   And
                   for
                   the
                   other
                   Hypothesis
                   of
                   the
                   Moon
                   's
                   being
                   a
                   kind
                   of
                   Earth
                   ,
                   the
                   Scripture
                   hath
                   said
                   nothing
                   of
                   it
                   on
                   either
                   hand
                   ;
                   nor
                   can
                   its
                   silence
                   be
                   
                     argumentative
                     here
                  
                   ,
                   since
                   we
                   know
                   ,
                   That
                   all
                   Mankind
                   believes
                   many
                   things
                   ,
                   of
                   which
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   mention
                   there
                   :
                   As
                   that
                   there
                   are
                   such
                   places
                   as
                   China
                   ,
                   and
                   America
                   ,
                   That
                   the
                   
                     Magnet
                     attracts
                     Iron
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   directs
                   to
                   the
                   North
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   the
                   Sea
                   hath
                   the
                   motion
                   of
                   Flux
                   ,
                   and
                   Reflux
                   ,
                   with
                   ten
                   thousand
                   such
                   other
                   things
                   discovered
                   by
                   Experience
                   ,
                   of
                   which
                   there
                   is
                   not
                   the
                   
                   least
                   hint
                   in
                   the
                   Sacred
                   Volume
                   :
                   And
                   are
                   not
                   these
                   to
                   be
                   believed
                   ,
                   till
                   they
                   can
                   be
                   proved
                   from
                   Scripture
                   ?
                   this
                   is
                   ridiculously
                   to
                   abuse
                   the
                   
                     Holy
                     Oracles
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   extend
                   them
                   beyond
                   their
                   proper
                   business
                   and
                   design
                   .
                   And
                   to
                   argue
                   against
                   this
                   supposal
                   ,
                   as
                   some
                   do
                   ,
                   by
                   
                     Queries
                     ,
                     What
                     men
                     are
                     in
                     that
                     other
                     Earth
                     ?
                     whether
                     fallen
                     ?
                  
                   and
                   
                     how
                     saved
                  
                   ?
                   is
                   very
                   childish
                   and
                   absurd
                   .
                   He
                   that
                   holds
                   the
                   opinion
                   may
                   confess
                   his
                   ignorance
                   in
                   all
                   these
                   things
                   ,
                   without
                   any
                   prejudice
                   to
                   his
                   Hypothesis
                   of
                   the
                   Moon
                   's
                   being
                   habitable
                   ;
                   or
                   the
                   supposal
                   of
                   its
                   being
                   
                     actually
                     inhabited
                  
                   .
                   For
                   that
                   may
                   be
                   ,
                   though
                   no
                   living
                   man
                   can
                   tell
                   the
                   nature
                   ,
                   and
                   condition
                   of
                   those
                   Creatures
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   for
                   my
                   part
                   ,
                   I
                   assert
                   neither
                   of
                   these
                   Paradoxes
                   ;
                   only
                   I
                   have
                   
                   thought
                   fit
                   to
                   speak
                   thus
                   briefly
                   about
                   them
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   be
                   le●…
                   to
                   the
                   freedom
                   of
                   Philosophical
                   Inquiry
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   Scripture
                   is
                   not
                   concerned
                   in
                   such
                   Queries
                   .
                   And
                   yet
                   besides
                   this
                   ,
                   which
                   might
                   suffice
                   to
                   vindicate
                   the
                   
                     Neoterick
                     Methods
                  
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   from
                   the
                   charge
                   of
                   being
                   injurious
                   to
                   the
                   Scripture
                   in
                   such
                   instances
                   ,
                   I
                   adde
                
                 
                   (
                   3.
                   )
                   The
                   
                     ●…ree
                     ,
                     experimental
                     Philosophy
                  
                   which
                   I
                   recommend
                   ,
                   doth
                   not
                   
                     affirm
                     e●…er
                  
                   of
                   those
                   
                     feared
                     propositions
                  
                   .
                   For
                   neither
                   of
                   them
                   have
                   so
                   much
                   evidence
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   warrant
                   peremptory
                   ,
                   and
                   dogmatical
                   assertions
                   .
                   And
                   therefore
                   ,
                   though
                   perhaps
                   some
                   of
                   
                     those
                     Philosophers
                  
                   think
                   that
                   they
                   have
                   great
                   degrees
                   of
                   probability
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   are
                   sit
                   for
                   Philosophical
                   consideration
                   ;
                   Yet
                   there
                   are
                   none
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   know
                   ,
                   that
                   
                   determine
                   they
                   are
                   certainties
                   ,
                   and
                   positive
                   Truths
                   .
                   'T
                   is
                   contrary
                   to
                   the
                   genius
                   of
                   their
                   way
                   to
                   do
                   so
                   :
                   And
                   on
                   the
                   other
                   hand
                   ,
                   't
                   is
                   a
                   very
                   obnoxious
                   folly
                   to
                   conclude
                   ,
                   That
                   those
                   opinions
                   are
                   false
                   ,
                   when
                   no
                   one
                   can
                   be
                   certain
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   so
                   .
                   But
                   whether
                   the
                   one
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   other
                   be
                   said
                   ,
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   are
                   not
                   at
                   all
                   concerned
                   .
                
                 
                   Thus
                   briefly
                   of
                   the
                   slanders
                   that
                   are
                   a●…t
                   upon
                   
                     Philosophy
                     ,
                     viz.
                  
                   of
                   its
                   Tendency
                   to
                   Atheism
                   ,
                   and
                   disparagement
                   of
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   .
                   The
                   other
                   lesser
                   ones
                   are
                   answered
                   in
                   the
                   discussion
                   of
                   these
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 VIII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Other
                   Objections
                   against
                   Philosophy
                   answered
                   ,
                   viz.
                   That
                   there
                   is
                   too
                   much
                   Curiosity
                   in
                   those
                   Inquiries
                   :
                   That
                   the
                   Apostle
                   gives
                   a
                   Caveat
                   against
                   it
                   :
                   That
                   the
                   First
                   Preachers
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   knew
                   little
                   or
                   nothing
                   of
                   it
                   .
                   A
                   brief
                   Recital
                   of
                   some
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Men
                   who
                   are
                   recorded
                   in
                   Scripture
                   to
                   have
                   had
                   skill
                   in
                   several
                   parts
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   I.
                   
                
                 
                   BUT
                   besides
                   
                     those
                     slanderous
                  
                   imputations
                   ,
                   there
                   are
                   some
                   little
                   
                     vulgar
                     plausibilities
                  
                   pretended
                   against
                   it
                   also
                   ;
                   It
                   would
                   be
                   
                   endless
                   to
                   recount
                   all
                   of
                   them
                   .
                   The
                   chief
                   are
                   these
                   that
                   follow
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   I.
                   )
                   
                     There
                     is
                     too
                     much
                     curiosity
                     in
                     those
                     inquiries
                     ;
                     and
                     S.
                  
                   Paul
                   
                     desired
                     to
                     know
                     nothing
                     but
                     Christ
                     ,
                     and
                     him
                     crucified
                     .
                  
                   To
                   which
                   I
                   answer
                   ,
                   That
                   what
                   is
                   
                     blameable
                     curiosity
                  
                   in
                   things
                   not
                   worth
                   our
                   pains
                   ,
                   or
                   forbidden
                   our
                   scrutiny
                   ,
                   is
                   Duty
                   ,
                   and
                   laudable
                   endeavour
                   in
                   matters
                   that
                   are
                   weighty
                   and
                   permitted
                   to
                   our
                   search
                   .
                   So
                   that
                   nothing
                   can
                   be
                   fastned
                   upon
                   the
                   
                     Philosophical
                     Inquisitions
                  
                   into
                   Nature
                   on
                   this
                   account
                   ,
                   till
                   it
                   be
                   first
                   proved
                   ,
                   That
                   a
                   '
                   diligent
                   observance
                   of
                   Gods
                   Goodness
                   ,
                   and
                   Wisdom
                   in
                   his
                   Works
                   ,
                   in
                   order
                   to
                   the
                   using
                   them
                   to
                   his
                   glory
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   benefit
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   is
                   either
                   prohibited
                   ,
                   or
                   impertinent
                   .
                
                 
                   There
                   is
                   indeed
                   such
                   a
                   depth
                   in
                   
                   nature
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   never
                   like
                   to
                   be
                   
                     throughly
                     fathomed
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   such
                   a
                   darkness
                   upon
                   some
                   of
                   Gods
                   Works
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   will
                   not
                   in
                   this
                   world
                   be
                   
                     found
                     out
                     to
                     perfection
                  
                   :
                   But
                   however
                   ,
                   we
                   are
                   not
                   kept
                   o●…f
                   by
                   any
                   expressness
                   of
                   prohibition
                   ;
                   Nature
                   is
                   no
                   
                     Holy
                     Mount
                  
                   that
                   ought
                   not
                   to
                   be
                   touched
                   ;
                   yea
                   ,
                   we
                   are
                   commanded
                   ,
                   To
                   
                     search
                     after
                  
                   wisdom
                   ,
                   and
                   particularly
                   ,
                   after
                   this
                   ,
                   when
                   we
                   are
                   so
                   frequently
                   called
                   upon
                   to
                   celebrate
                   our
                   Creator
                   for
                   his
                   Works
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   encouraged
                   by
                   the
                   success
                   of
                   many
                   that
                   have
                   gone
                   before
                   ;
                   For
                   
                     many
                     shall
                     go
                     to
                     and
                     fro
                     ,
                     and
                     science
                     shall
                     be
                     increased
                     .
                  
                   So
                   that
                   our
                   inquiries
                   into
                   Nature
                   are
                   not
                   forbidden
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   saith
                   they
                   are
                   frivolous
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   
                     no
                     use
                  
                   ,
                   when
                   the
                   Art
                   of
                   the
                   Omniscient
                   is
                   the
                   object
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   glory
                   &
                   the
                   good
                   
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   the
                   end
                   ,
                   asperseth
                   both
                   the
                   Creator
                   and
                   the
                   Creature
                   ,
                   and
                   contradicts
                   his
                   duty
                   to
                   both
                   .
                
                 
                   As
                   for
                   the
                   latter
                   clause
                   of
                   the
                   Objection
                   which
                   urgeth
                   that
                   speech
                   of
                   S.
                   Paul
                   ,
                   of
                   his
                   desiring
                   to
                   
                     know
                     nothing
                     but
                     Christ
                     and
                     him
                     crucified
                     ,
                  
                   1
                   Cor.
                   II.
                   2
                   ▪
                   I
                   return
                   to
                   it
                   ,
                   That
                   he
                   that
                   shall
                   duely
                   consider
                   the
                   discourse
                   of
                   the
                   Apostle
                   in
                   the
                   verse
                   before
                   ,
                   and
                   those
                   that
                   succeed
                   ,
                   will
                   perceive
                   ,
                   That
                   in
                   this
                   expression
                   ,
                   he
                   only
                   slights
                   the
                   
                     affected
                     eloquence
                  
                   of
                   the
                   Orators
                   ,
                   and
                   Rhetoricians
                   ;
                   He
                   spoke
                   in
                   plainness
                   and
                   simplicity
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   in
                   those
                   
                     inticing
                     words
                  
                   of
                   
                     mans
                     wisdom
                  
                   ,
                   which
                   he
                   desired
                   either
                   not
                   to
                   know
                   at
                   all
                   ,
                   or
                   not
                   in
                   comparison
                   with
                   the
                   plain
                   Doctrines
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   .
                   Or
                   ,
                   if
                   any
                   should
                   take
                   the
                   words
                   in
                   the
                   largest
                   sense
                   ,
                   then
                   all
                   sorts
                   of
                   humane
                   
                   Learning
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   Arts
                   and
                   Trades
                   are
                   set
                   at
                   nought
                   by
                   the
                   Apostle
                   ;
                   And
                   if
                   so
                   ,
                   the
                   meaning
                   can
                   be
                   no
                   more
                   than
                   this
                   ,
                   That
                   he
                   preferred
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   Christ
                   before
                   these
                   ;
                   For
                   't
                   is
                   ridiculous
                   to
                   think
                   that
                   he
                   absolutely
                   slighted
                   all
                   other
                   Science
                   .
                   The
                   knowledge
                   of
                   Christ
                   is
                   indeed
                   the
                   chiefest
                   ,
                   and
                   most
                   
                     valuable
                     wisdom
                  
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   the
                   Works
                   of
                   God
                   hath
                   hath
                   its
                   place
                   also
                   ,
                   and
                   ought
                   not
                   quite
                   to
                   be
                   excluded
                   and
                   despised
                   :
                   Or
                   ,
                   if
                   Philosophy
                   be
                   to
                   be
                   slighted
                   ,
                   by
                   this
                   Text
                   ,
                   all
                   
                     other
                     knowledge
                  
                   whatsoever
                   must
                   undergo
                   the
                   same
                   Fate
                   with
                   it
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   it
                   will
                   be
                   urged
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   (
                   II.
                   )
                   
                     THat
                     there
                     is
                     a
                     particular
                     caution
                     given
                     by
                     the
                     Apostle
                     against
                     Philosophy
                     ,
                  
                   Col.
                   II.
                   8.
                   
                   
                     Beware
                     lest
                     any
                     one
                     spoil
                     you
                     through
                     Philosophy
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   To
                   this
                   I
                   have
                   said
                   elsewhere
                   ,
                   That
                   the
                   Apostle
                   there
                   means
                   either
                   the
                   pretended
                   knowledge
                   of
                   the
                   Gnosticks
                   ,
                   the
                   Genealogies
                   of
                   the
                   Jews
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   
                   disputing
                   ●…earning
                   of
                   the
                   Greeks
                   ;
                   and
                   perhaps
                   he
                   might
                   have
                   a
                   respect
                   to
                   all
                   of
                   them
                   .
                   That
                   the
                   disputing
                   Philosophy
                   of
                   the
                   Greeks
                   is
                   concerned
                   in
                   the
                   caution
                   ,
                   will
                   appear
                   very
                   probable
                   ,
                   if
                   we
                   consider
                   ,
                   That
                   much
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   was
                   built
                   on
                   
                     meer
                     notion
                  
                   ,
                   that
                   occasioned
                   division
                   into
                   manifold
                   Sects
                   ,
                   which
                   managed
                   their
                   matters
                   by
                   
                   Sophistry
                   ,
                   and
                   Disputations
                   ,
                   full
                   of
                   nicety
                   and
                   mazes
                   of
                   wit
                   ;
                   and
                   aimed
                   at
                   little
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   pride
                   of
                   mysterious
                   talk
                   of
                   things
                   ,
                   that
                   were
                   not
                   really
                   understood
                   .
                   Such
                   a
                   Philosophy
                   the
                   Apostle
                   might
                   
                     justly
                     condemn
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   wise
                   men
                   
                     do
                     the
                     same
                  
                   ,
                   because
                   't
                   is
                   very
                   injurious
                   to
                   
                     Religion
                     ,
                     real
                     Knowledge
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Peace
                   of
                   men
                   .
                   But
                   what
                   is
                   this
                   to
                   that
                   ,
                   which
                   modestly
                   inquires
                   into
                   the
                   Creatures
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   as
                   
                     they
                     are
                  
                   ;
                   That
                   collects
                   the
                   History
                   of
                   his
                   Works
                   ,
                   raising
                   observations
                   from
                   them
                   for
                   the
                   discovery
                   of
                   Causes
                   ,
                   and
                   invention
                   of
                   Arts
                   ,
                   and
                   helps
                   for
                   the
                   benefit
                   of
                   Mankind
                   ?
                   What
                   vanity
                   ;
                   what
                   prejudice
                   to
                   Religion
                   can
                   be
                   supposed
                   in
                   this
                   ?
                   Is
                   this
                   ,
                   think
                   we
                   ,
                   
                     that
                     Philosophy
                     ,
                     that
                     wisdom
                     of
                     this
                     world
                     ,
                  
                   which
                   the
                   great
                   Apostle
                   censures
                   and
                   condemns
                   ?
                   
                   He
                   is
                   bold
                   that
                   saith
                   it
                   ,
                   
                     speaks
                     a
                     thing
                     he
                     knows
                     not
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   might
                   ,
                   if
                   he
                   pleased
                   ,
                   know
                   the
                   contrary
                   ;
                   Since
                   the
                   Method
                   of
                   Philosophy
                   I
                   vindicate
                   ,
                   which
                   proceeds
                   by
                   observation
                   and
                   experiment
                   to
                   works
                   ,
                   and
                   uses
                   of
                   life
                   ,
                   was
                   not
                   ,
                   if
                   at
                   all
                   ,
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   those
                   times
                   in
                   which
                   the
                   Apostles
                   lived
                   ,
                   nor
                   did
                   it
                   begin
                   to
                   shew
                   it self
                   in
                   many
                   Ages
                   after
                   ;
                   and
                   therefore
                   cannot
                   be
                   concerned
                   in
                   S.
                   
                     Paul's
                     Caution
                  
                   to
                   his
                   Colossians
                   ;
                   nor
                   in
                   his
                   smartness
                   against
                   
                     worldly
                     wisdom
                  
                   elsewhere
                   ,
                   for
                   by
                   that
                   we
                   are
                   to
                   understand
                   ,
                   the
                   Fetches
                   of
                   Policy
                   ,
                   the
                   Niceties
                   of
                   Wit
                   ,
                   and
                   Strains
                   of
                   Rhetorick
                   that
                   were
                   then
                   engaged
                   against
                   the
                   progress
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   :
                   But
                   what
                   is
                   all
                   this
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   Philosophy
                   of
                   
                     Gods
                     Works
                  
                   ;
                   which
                   illustrates
                   the
                   
                     Divine
                     glory
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   comments
                   upon
                   his
                   
                   Perfections
                   ,
                   and
                   promotes
                   the
                   great
                   design
                   of
                   Christianity
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   
                     doing
                     good
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   in
                   its
                   proper
                   nature
                   tends
                   to
                   the
                   disposing
                   o●…
                   mens
                   minds
                   to
                   Vertue
                   ,
                   and
                   Religion
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                   SECT
                   .
                   III.
                   
                
                 
                   BUT
                   (
                   III.
                   )
                   
                     If
                     Philosophy
                     be
                     so
                     excellent
                     an
                     Instrument
                     to
                     Religion
                     ,
                     it
                     may
                     be
                     〈◊〉
                  
                   (
                   and
                   the
                   Question
                   will
                   have
                   the
                   force
                   of
                   an
                   Objection
                   )
                   
                     why
                     the
                     Disciples
                     and
                     first
                     Preachers
                     of
                     the
                     Gospel
                     were
                     not
                     instructed
                     in
                     it
                     ;
                     ●…ey
                     were
                     plain
                     ,
                     illiterate
                     men
                     ,
                     altogether
                     unacquainted
                     with
                     those
                     sublimities
                     ;
                     God
                     chose
                     the
                     foolish
                     things
                     of
                     this
                     world
                     ,
                     to
                     confound
                     the
                     wise
                     .
                     So
                     that
                     it
                     seems
                     he
                     did
                     not
                     value
                     this
                     kind
                     of
                     wisdom
                     so
                     much
                     as
                     our
                     discourse
                     seems
                     to
                     imply
                     .
                  
                
                 
                 
                   But
                   this
                   choice
                   that
                   the
                   Divine
                   Wisdom
                   made
                   of
                   the
                   Publishers
                   of
                   the
                   
                     glad
                     Tydings
                  
                   of
                   Salvation
                   ,
                   is
                   no
                   more
                   prejudice
                   ,
                   or
                   discredit
                   to
                   Philosophy
                   ,
                   than
                   it
                   is
                   to
                   
                     any
                     other
                     sort
                  
                   of
                   Learning
                   ;
                   and
                   indeed
                   't
                   is
                   none
                   at
                   all
                   to
                   either
                   :
                   For
                   the
                   
                     special
                     reasons
                  
                   of
                   Gods
                   making
                   
                     this
                     choice
                  
                   ,
                   seem
                   such
                   as
                   
                     these
                     ,
                     viz.
                  
                   That
                   his
                   power
                   might
                   more
                   evidently
                   appear
                   in
                   the
                   wonderful
                   propagation
                   of
                   the
                   Religion
                   of
                   
                     Christ
                     Jesus
                  
                   ,
                   by
                   such
                   
                     seemingly
                     unqualified
                  
                   instruments
                   ;
                   That
                   the
                   World
                   might
                   not
                   suspect
                   it
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   contrivance
                   of
                   
                     wit
                     ,
                     subtilty
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   Art
                   ,
                   when
                   there
                   was
                   so
                   much
                   plainness
                   ,
                   and
                   simplicity
                   in
                   its
                   first
                   Promot●…rs
                   .
                   And
                   perhaps
                   too
                   it
                   was
                   done
                   in
                   contempt
                   of
                   the
                   vain
                   and
                   
                     pretended
                     knowledge
                  
                   of
                   the
                   Jews
                   ,
                   and
                   Greeks
                   ,
                   over
                   which
                   the
                   plainness
                   of
                   
                   the
                   Gospel
                   was
                   made
                   gloriously
                   to
                   triumph
                   .
                   And
                   to
                   these
                   I
                   adde
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   might
                   be
                   to
                   shew
                   ,
                   That
                   God
                   values
                   simplicity
                   ,
                   and
                   integrity
                   above
                   all
                   
                     natural
                     perfections
                  
                   ,
                   how
                   excellent
                   soever
                   .
                   So
                   that
                   there
                   being
                   such
                   
                     special
                     Reasons
                  
                   for
                   the
                   ●…using
                   plain
                   men
                   to
                   set
                   this
                   grand
                   a●…air
                   on
                   foot
                   in
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   it
                   can
                   be
                   no
                   disparagement
                   to
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   Nature
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   was
                   not
                   begun
                   by
                   Philosophers
                   .
                   And
                   to
                   counter-argue
                   this
                   Topick
                   ,
                   we
                   may
                   consider
                   ,
                   That
                
                 
                   The
                   Patriarchs
                   ,
                   and
                   Holy
                   men
                   of
                   ancient
                   times
                   that
                   were
                   most
                   in
                   the
                   Divine
                   favour
                   ,
                   were
                   well
                   instructed
                   in
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   
                     Gods
                     Works
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   contributed
                   to
                   the
                   good
                   of
                   men
                   by
                   their
                   
                     useful
                     discoveries
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     inventions
                     .
                     Adam
                  
                   was
                   acquainted
                   with
                   the
                   Nature
                   of
                   the
                   Creatures
                   ;
                   
                   Noah
                   a
                   Planter
                   of
                   
                     Vineyards
                     ,
                     Abraham
                  
                   (
                   as
                   Grotius
                   collects
                   from
                   ancient
                   History
                   )
                   a
                   great
                   Mystes
                   in
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   the
                   
                     Stars
                     :
                     Isaac
                     prosperous
                  
                   in
                   
                     Georgicks
                     .
                     Jacob
                  
                   blessed
                   in
                   his
                   
                     Philosophical
                     Stratagem
                  
                   of
                   the
                   speckled
                   Rods.
                   Moses
                   a
                   great
                   man
                   in
                   all
                   kinds
                   of
                   
                     natural
                     knowledge
                     .
                     Bezaliel
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   Aholiab
                   inspired
                   in
                   
                     Architecture
                     .
                     Solomon
                  
                   a
                   
                     deep
                     Naturalist
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   Composer
                   of
                   a
                   
                     voluminous
                     History
                  
                   of
                   
                     Plants
                     .
                     Daniel
                     ,
                     Hananiah
                     ,
                     Mishael
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   Azariah
                   ,
                   skilled
                   in
                   
                     all
                     Learning
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   Wisdom
                   ;
                   Ten
                   times
                   better
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Text
                   ,
                   than
                   the
                   Magicians
                   ,
                   and
                   Astrologers
                   in
                   Nebuchadnezzar's
                   Realm
                   ;
                   And
                   to
                   accumulate
                   no
                   more
                   instances
                   ,
                   the
                   Philosophers
                   of
                   the
                   East
                   made
                   the
                   first
                   addresses
                   to
                   the
                   
                     Infant
                     Saviour
                  
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 CONCLUSION
                 .
              
               
                 THus
                 we
                 see
                 upon
                 the
                 whole
                 ,
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 shadow
                 of
                 Reason
                 why
                 we
                 should
                 discourage
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   oppose
                   modest
                
                 inquiries
                 into
                 the
                 Works
                 of
                 Nature
                 ;
                 and
                 whatsoever
                 ignorant
                 zeal
                 may
                 prompt
                 the
                 common
                 sort
                 to
                 ,
                 methinks
                 those
                 of
                 generous
                 education
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 of
                 so
                 perverse
                 a
                 frame
                 .
                 Especially
                 it
                 becomes
                 not
                 any
                 that
                 minister
                 at
                 the
                 Altar
                 ,
                 to
                 do
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 disservice
                 to
                 Religion
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 promote
                 so
                 unjust
                 a
                 conceit
                 as
                 that
                 of
                 Philosophy's
                 being
                 an
                 enemy
                 unto
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Philosophers
                 were
                 the
                 Priests
                 among
                 the
                 Aegyptians
                 ,
                 and
                 several
                 
                 other
                 Nations
                 in
                 ancient
                 times
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 was
                 never
                 more
                 need
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Priests
                 should
                 be
                 Philosophers
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 ours
                 ;
                 For
                 we
                 are
                 liable
                 every
                 day
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 out
                 to
                 
                   make
                   good
                
                 our
                 Foundations
                 against
                 the
                 Atheist
                 ,
                 the
                 Sadduce
                 ,
                 and
                 Enthusiast
                 ;
                 and
                 't
                 is
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 
                   his
                   Works
                
                 that
                 must
                 furnish
                 us
                 with
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 proper
                 Weapons
                 of
                 
                   Defence
                   .
                   Hard
                   names
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   damning
                   sentences
                
                 ;
                 the
                 arrows
                 of
                 
                   bitter
                   words
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   raging
                   passions
                
                 will
                 not
                 defeat
                 those
                 Sons
                 of
                 
                   An●…k
                   ;
                   These
                
                 are
                 not
                 sit
                 Weapons
                 for
                 our
                 warfare
                 .
                 No
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 met
                 by
                 a
                 Reason
                 instructed
                 in
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 sought
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 Quarters
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Arms
                 must
                 be
                 turned
                 upon
                 themselves
                 ;
                 This
                 may
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 advantage
                 is
                 all
                 
                   ours
                   .
                   We
                
                 have
                 
                 steel
                 ,
                 and
                 brass
                 for
                 our
                 defence
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 have
                 little
                 else
                 than
                 twigs
                 ,
                 and
                 bull-rushes
                 for
                 the
                 assault
                 ;
                 we
                 have
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 firm
                 ground
                 ▪
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 lost
                 in
                 smoak
                 ,
                 and
                 mists
                 ;
                 They
                 tread
                 among
                 Bogs
                 ,
                 and
                 dangerous
                 Fens
                 ,
                 and
                 reel
                 near
                 the
                 Rocks
                 ,
                 and
                 Steeps
                 .
                 And
                 shall
                 we
                 despise
                 our
                 advantages
                 ,
                 and
                 forsake
                 them
                 ?
                 Shall
                 we
                 relinquish
                 our
                 ground
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 mu●…e
                 our selves
                 up
                 in
                 darkness
                 ?
                 Shall
                 we
                 give
                 our
                 enemies
                 the
                 Weapons
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 odds
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 endeavour
                 to
                 insure
                 their
                 Triumphs
                 over
                 us
                 ?
                 This
                 is
                 sottishly
                 to
                 betray
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 our selves
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 this
                 Discourse
                 chance
                 to
                 meet
                 with
                 any
                 that
                 are
                 guilty
                 of
                 these
                 dangerous
                 follies
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 ,
                 I
                 hope
                 ,
                 convince
                 them
                 ,
                 That
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 reason
                 to
                 be
                 afraid
                 of
                 Philosophy
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 to
                 despise
                 its
                 aids
                 in
                 the
                 concerns
                 of
                 Religion
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 never
                 yet
                 thought
                 of
                 this
                 part
                 of
                 Religion
                 to
                 glorifie
                 God
                 for
                 his
                 Works
                 ,
                 I
                 wish
                 it
                 may
                 awaken
                 them
                 to
                 more
                 attentive
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 wisdom
                 and
                 goodness
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 excite
                 their
                 pious
                 acclamations
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 encourage
                 them
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 adventure
                 to
                 add
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 it
                 seems
                 very
                 probable
                 ,
                 that
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 those
                 Hallelujah's
                 and
                 triumphant
                 Songs
                 ,
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 joyful
                 entertainment
                 of
                 the
                 blessed
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 wonders
                 of
                 
                   Gods
                   Works
                
                 ;
                 and
                 who
                 knows
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 contemplation
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 shall
                 make
                 up
                 a
                 good
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 imployment
                 of
                 those
                 
                   glorified
                   Spirits
                
                 ;
                 who
                 will
                 then
                 have
                 inconceivable
                 
                 advantages
                 for
                 the
                 searching
                 into
                 those
                 effects
                 of
                 Divine
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 beyond
                 what
                 are
                 possible
                 for
                 us
                 mortals
                 to
                 attain
                 .
                 And
                 those
                 discoveries
                 which
                 for
                 ever
                 they
                 shall
                 make
                 in
                 that
                 
                   immense
                   Treasure
                
                 of
                 Art
                 ,
                 the
                 Universe
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 sill
                 their
                 Souls
                 every
                 moment
                 with
                 pleasant
                 astonishment
                 ,
                 and
                 inslame
                 their
                 hearts
                 with
                 the
                 ardors
                 of
                 the
                 highest
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 devotion
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 breathe
                 forth
                 in
                 
                   everlasting
                   thanksgivings
                
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 the
                 
                   study
                   of
                   Gods
                   Works
                
                 joyned
                 with
                 those
                 
                   pious
                   sentiments
                
                 they
                 deserve
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 partial
                 anticipation
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 And
                 next
                 after
                 the
                 contemplations
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 wonders
                 of
                 his
                 Mercy
                 discovered
                 in
                 our
                 Redemption
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 ,
                 and
                 noblest
                 imployments
                 ;
                 the
                 most
                 becoming
                 
                 a
                 reasonable
                 Creature
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 a
                 one
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 taught
                 by
                 the
                 most
                 reasonable
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   excellent
                   Religion
                
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 FINIS
                 .
              
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               OR
               ,
               A
               
                 Seasonable
                 Recommendation
              
               ,
               and
               Defence
               OF
               REASON
               ▪
               In
               the
               Affairs
               of
               RELIGION
               ;
               AGAINST
               Infidelity
               ,
               Scepticism
               ,
               and
               Fanaticisms
               of
               all
               sorts
               .
            
             
               LONDON
               ,
               Printed
               by
               
                 J.
                 M.
              
               for
               
                 James
                 Collins
              
               at
               the
               Kings●…ead
               in
               Westminster-Hall
               .
               1670.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
             
               AD
               CLERUM
               .
            
             
               
                 Rom.
                 XII
                 .
                 the
                 latter
                 part
                 of
                 verse
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 —
                 
                   Which
                   is
                   your
                   reasonable
                   Service
                
                 .
              
            
             
               THERE
               is
               nothing
               ,
               that
               I
               know
               ,
               hath
               done
               so
               much
               mischief
               to
               Christianity
               ,
               as
               the
               disparagement
               of
               Reason
               ,
               under
               pretence
               of
               respect
               ,
               &
               favour
               to
               Religio●…
               ;
               since
               hereby
               the
               very
               Foundations
               of
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Faith
              
               have
               bin
               undermined
               ,
               and
               the
               World
               prepared
               
               for
               Atheism
               .
               For
               if
               Reason
               must
               not
               be
               heard
               ,
               the
               Being
               of
               a
               GOD
               ,
               and
               the
               Authority
               of
               Scripture
               can
               neither
               be
               proved
               ,
               nor
               defended
               ;
               and
               so
               our
               Faith
               drops
               to
               the
               ground
               ,
               like
               a
               house
               that
               hath
               no
               foundation
               .
               Besides
               ,
               by
               this
               way
               ,
               those
               
                 sickly
                 conceits
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Enthusiastick
                 dreams
              
               ,
               and
               
                 unsound
                 Doctrines
              
               ,
               that
               have
               poysoned
               our
               Air
               ,
               and
               infatuated
               the
               minds
               of
               men
               ,
               and
               exposed
               Religion
               to
               the
               scorn
               of
               Infidels
               ,
               and
               divided
               the
               Church
               ,
               and
               disturbed
               the
               peace
               of
               mankind
               ,
               and
               involved
               the
               Nation
               in
               so
               much
               blood
               ,
               and
               so
               many
               Ruines
               ;
               I
               say
               hereby
               ,
               all
               
                 these
                 fatal
                 Follies
              
               ,
               that
               have
               been
               the
               occasions
               of
               so
               many
               mischiefs
               ,
               have
               been
               propagated
               ,
               and
               promoted
               .
               So
               that
               I
               may
               affirm
               boldly
               ,
               That
               here
               is
               the
               Spring-head
               of
               most
               of
               
               the
               waters
               of
               bitterness
               ,
               and
               strife
               ;
               and
               here
               the
               Fountain
               of
               the
               
                 great
                 Deeps
              
               of
               Atheism
               ,
               and
               Fanaticism
               ,
               that
               are
               broken
               up
               upon
               us
               .
            
             
               And
               now
               ,
               to
               damme
               up
               
                 this
                 sour●…e
              
               of
               mischiefs
               ,
               by
               representing
               the
               
                 fair
                 agreement
              
               that
               is
               between
               Reason
               ,
               and
               Religion
               ,
               is
               the
               most
               seasonable
               service
               that
               can
               be
               done
               unto
               both
               ;
               since
               hereby
               ,
               Religion
               will
               be
               rescued
               from
               the
               impious
               accusation
               of
               its
               being
               groundless
               ,
               and
               imaginary
               :
               And
               reason
               also
               defended
               ,
               against
               the
               unjust
               charge
               of
               those
               ,
               that
               would
               make
               
                 this
                 beam
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 prophane
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 irreligious
                 .
                 This
              
               I
               shall
               endeavour
               at
               this
               tim●…
               ;
               and
               I
               think
               it
               proper
               work
               for
               the
               occasion
               ,
               now
               that
               I
               have
               an
               opportunity
               of
               speaking
               to
               
                 You
                 Reverend
                 Fathers
              
               ,
               and
               Brethren
               of
               the
               Clergie
               ;
               For
               't
               is
               from
               the
               Pulpit
               ,
               
               Religion
               hath
               received
               
                 those
                 wounds
              
               through
               the
               sides
               of
               Reason
               ;
               I
               do
               not
               say
               ,
               and
               I
               do
               not
               think
               ,
               It
               hath
               f●…om
               yours
               ;
               But
               we
               know
               ,
               that
               indiscreet
               ,
               and
               hot
               Preachers
               that
               had
               entertain'd
               vain
               ,
               and
               unreasonable
               Doctrines
               ,
               which
               they
               had
               made
               an
               interest
               ,
               and
               the
               badges
               of
               a
               Party
               ;
               perceiving
               that
               their
               darling
               opinions
               could
               not
               stand
               ,
               if
               Reason
               ,
               their
               enemy
               ,
               were
               not
               discredited
               ;
               They
               set
               up
               a
               loud
               cry
               against
               Reason
               ,
               as
               the
               great
               adversary
               of
               free-Grace
               ,
               and
               Faith
               ,
               and
               zealously
               endeavoured
               to
               run
               it
               down
               ,
               under
               the
               mis-applied
               names
               of
               
                 Vain
                 Philosophy
                 ,
                 Carnal
                 Reasoning
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 this
                 World
              
               :
               And
               what
               hath
               been
               the
               issue
               of
               those
               cantings
               ,
               we
               have
               
                 sadly
                 seen
              
               ,
               and
               felt
               .
               So
               that
               ,
               〈◊〉
               think
               ,
               't
               is
               now
               the
               duty
               of
               all
               sober
               ,
               
               and
               reasonable
               men
               to
               rise
               up
               against
               this
               spirit
               of
               Folly
               ,
               and
               infatuation
               :
               and
               something
               I
               shall
               attempt
               at
               present
               ,
               by
               shewing
               ,
               that
               
                 Reason
                 is
                 very
                 serviceable
                 to
                 Religion
                 ;
                 and
                 Religion
                 very
                 friendly
                 to
                 Reason
              
               ;
               both
               which
               are
               included
               in
               these
               words
               of
               the
               Apostle
               ,
            
             
               —
               
                 WHICH
                 IS
                 YOUR
                 REASONABLE
                 SERVICE
              
               .
            
             
               He
               had
               proved
               in
               the
               preceding
               part
               of
               this
               Epistle
               ,
               That
               the
               Gospel
               was
               the
               
                 only
                 way
              
               of
               happiness
               ,
               and
               here
               ,
               he
               enters
               upon
               the
               application
               of
               this
               Doctrine
               ,
               and
               affectionately
               exhorts
               his
               Romans
               ,
               to
               conform
               themselves
               unto
               
                 it
                 .
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 therefore
                 ,
                 brethren
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 mercies
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 present
                 your
                 bodies
                 :
              
               By
               which
               ,
               no
               doubt
               ,
               
               he
               means
               ,
               their
               
                 whole
                 persons
              
               ,
               For
               they
               are
               to
               be
               a
               
                 living
                 sacrifice
                 ;
                 Living
              
               ,
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               dead
               services
               of
               the
               Ceremonial
               Law
               ;
               
                 Holy
                 ,
                 acceptable
                 unto
                 God
              
               ,
               in
               opposition
               to
               those
               
                 legal
                 performances
              
               ,
               that
               had
               no
               
                 intrinsick
                 goodness
              
               in
               th●…m
               ,
               and
               were
               not
               acceptable
               now
               that
               th●…ir
               institution
               was
               determin●…d
               .
               And
               the
               motives
               whereby
               he
               enforceth
               his
               exh●…rtation
               ,
               are
               these
               two
               ,
               viz.
               The
               mercies
               of
               GOD
               ,
               which
               the
               Gospel
               hath
               brought
               ,
               and
               propounded
               ;
               
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 brethren
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 mercies
                 of
                 God
              
               ;
               And
               the
               reasonableness
               of
               the
               thing
               it self
               that
               he
               urgeth
               them
               to
               ,
               —
               
                 Which
                 is
                 your
                 reasonable
                 service
              
               .
            
             
               My
               business
               is
               with
               this
               latter
               ,
               and
               I
               li●…fer
               from
               it
               :
            
             
               
                 That
                 Religion
                 is
                 a
                 reasonable
                 thing
                 .
              
            
             
             
               IN
               treating
               of
               this
               Prop●…sition
               ,
               I
               shall
            
             
               
                 (
                 I.
                 )
                 
                   State
                   what
                   I
                   mean
                   by
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   what
                   by
                   Reason
                   .
                
              
               
                 (
                 II
                 )
                 
                   I
                   shall
                   demonstrate
                   their
                   harmony
                   ,
                   and
                   agreement
                   .
                
              
               
                 (
                 III
                 )
                 
                   Indeavour
                   to
                   disable
                   the
                   main
                   Objections
                   that
                   are
                   alledged
                   against
                   the
                   use
                   of
                   Reason
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   affairs
                   of
                   Faith.
                
                 And
              
               
                 (
                 IV.
                 )
                 
                   Improve
                   all
                   by
                   some
                   Inferences
                   ,
                   and
                   Advices
                   .
                
              
            
             
               TO
               BEGIN
               with
               the
               first
               ,
               the
               setling
               the
               
                 distinct
                 Notions
              
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               Reason
               .
               We
               know
               there
               is
               nothing
               in
               any
               matter
               of
               enquiry
               ,
               or
               debate
               that
               can
               be
               discovered
               ,
               or
               determin●…d
               till
               the
               Terms
               of
               the
               Question
               are
               explained
               ,
               and
               their
               Notions
               setled
               .
               The
               want
               of
               this
               ,
               hath
               been
               the
               occasion
               
               of
               a
               great
               part
               of
               those
               Confusions
               we
               find
               in
               Disputes
               ,
               and
               particularly
               most
               of
               the
               Clamours
               ,
               that
               have
               been
               raised
               against
               Reason
               in
               the
               affairs
               of
               Religion
               ,
               have
               sprung
               from
               mens
               mistakes
               of
               the
               nature
               of
               both
               .
               For
               while
               
                 groundless
                 opinions
              
               ,
               and
               
                 unreasonable
                 practices
              
               are
               often
               called
               Religion
               on
               the
               one
               hand
               ;
               and
               
                 vain
                 imaginations
              
               ,
               and
               
                 false
                 consequences
              
               are
               as
               frequently
               stiled
               Reason
               on
               the
               other
               ;
               'T
               is
               no
               wonder
               that
               such
               a
               Religion
               disclaims
               the
               use
               of
               Reason
               ,
               or
               that
               
                 such
                 Reason
              
               is
               opposite
               to
               Religion
               .
               Therefore
               ,
               in
               order
               to
               my
               shewing
               the
               agreement
               between
               
                 true
                 Religion
              
               ,
               and
               
                 genuine
                 Reason
              
               ,
               I
               shall
               ,
               with
               all
               the
               clearness
               that
               I
               can
               ,
               represent
               the
               just
               meaning
               of
               the
               one
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               other
               .
            
             
             
               FOR
               
                 Religion
                 First
              
               ;
               the
               name
               signifies
               Binding
               ,
               and
               so
               imports
               duty
               ;
               and
               
                 all
                 duty
              
               is
               comprised
               under
               these
               two
               
                 Generals
                 ,
                 Worship
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Virtue
                 ;
                 Worship
              
               comprehends
               all
               our
               duties
               towards
               
                 God
                 ;
                 Virtue
                 all
              
               those
               ,
               that
               relate
               to
               our
               Neighbour
               ,
               or
               our
               
                 selves
                 .
                 Religion
              
               then
               primarily
               consists
               in
               these
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               sum
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               the
               Prophets
               .
               But
               duty
               cannot
               be
               performed
               ,
               without
               knowledge
               ,
               and
               some
               Principles
               there
               must
               be
               ,
               that
               must
               direct
               these
               Practices
               ;
               And
               those
               that
               discover
               ,
               and
               direct
               men
               in
               those
               actions
               of
               du●…y
               ,
               are
               called
               Principles
               of
               
                 Religion
                 .
                 These
              
               are
               of
               two
               sorts
               ,
               viz.
               Some
               are
               (
               1.
               )
               Fundamental
               ,
               and
               Essential
               ;
               others
               (
               2.
               )
               〈◊〉
               ,
               and
               
                 assisting
                 .
                 Fundamental
              
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               Metaphor
               taken
               from
               the
               found●…
               
               of
               a
               building
               ;
               upon
               which
               the
               Fabrick
               stands
               ,
               and
               without
               which
               ,
               it
               must
               sink
               to
               the
               ground
               :
               So
               that
               
                 Fundamental
                 Principles
              
               are
               such
               ,
               as
               are
               supposed
               to
               the
               duties
               of
               Religion
               ,
               one
               or
               more
               ;
               and
               such
               as
               are
               
                 absolutely
                 necessary
              
               to
               the
               performance
               of
               them
               respectively
               :
               Of
               this
               sort
               I
               mention
               four
               ,
               viz.
               
            
             
               
                 (
                 I.
                 )
                 
                   That
                   there
                   is
                   a
                   God
                   of
                   infinite
                   perf●…ction
                   .
                
                 Th●…
                 b●…lief
                 of
                 
                   this
                   i●…
                   〈◊〉
                   nec●…ssary
                
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 par●…s
                 o●…
                 R●…ligion
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 II.
                 )
                 
                   That
                   we
                   are
                   sinners
                   and
                   exposed
                   to
                   his
                   displeasure
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 confession
                 of
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 repentance
                 ;
                 parts
                 of
                 Worship
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 III.
                 )
                 
                   That
                   God
                   is
                   our
                   Maker
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Author
                   of
                   all
                   our
                   
                   blessings
                   .
                   This
                   is
                   necessary
                
                 to
                 the
                 Duties
                 of
                 
                   Prayer
                   ,
                   Praise
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Adoration
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 IV.
                 )
                 
                   That
                   there
                   is
                   Moral
                   Good
                   ,
                   and
                   Evil.
                
                 Without
                 this
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 
                   Charity
                   ,
                   Humility
                   ,
                   Justice
                   ,
                   Purity
                
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 rest
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 These
                 Propositions
              
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               are
               Fundamentals
               of
               Religion
               ,
               for
               
                 it
                 supposeth
              
               ,
               and
               
                 stands
                 upon
                 them
              
               .
               There
               are
               others
               ,
               which
               are
               not
               so
               
                 absolutely
                 necessary
              
               as
               these
               ,
               but
               yet
               very
               incouraging
               ,
               and
               helpful
               ;
               I
               reckon
               Four
               here
               also
               :
               Viz.
               
            
             
               
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 
                   THAT
                   God
                   will
                   pardon
                   us
                   ,
                   if
                   we
                   repent
                   .
                
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 
                   THAT
                   he
                   will
                   assist
                   us
                   ,
                   if
                   we
                   endeavour
                   .
                
              
               
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 
                   THAT
                   he
                   will
                   accept
                   of
                   Services
                   that
                   are
                   imperfect
                   ,
                   if
                   they
                   are
                   sincere
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 (
                 4.
                 )
                 
                   THAT
                   he
                   will
                   reward
                   ,
                   or
                   punish
                   ,
                   in
                   another
                   world
                   according
                   ●…o
                   what
                   we
                   have
                   done
                   in
                   this
                   .
                
              
            
             
               This
               I
               count
               to
               be
               the
               sum
               of
               
                 Religion
                 general
              
               :
               and
               
                 Christianity
                 ▪
              
               takes
               in
               all
               those
               Duties
               ;
               and
               all
               the
               Principles
               ;
               advancing
               the
               Duties
               to
               
                 nobler
                 measures
              
               ;
               and
               incouraging
               them
               by
               
                 new
                 motives
              
               ,
               and
               assistances
               ,
               and
               superadding
               two
               other
               instances
               ,
               Baptism
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Lords
                 Supper
              
               .
               And
               for
               the
               Principles
               ,
               it
               
                 confirms
                 those
              
               of
               
                 natural
                 Religion
              
               ;
               and
               explains
               them
               further
               ,
               and
               
                 discovers
                 some
              
               few
               new
               ones
               ;
               And
               all
               these
               ,
               both
               of
               the
               former
               ,
               and
               the
               latter
               sort
               ,
               are
               contained
               in
               the
               
                 Creed
                 .
                 Here
              
               are
               all
               the
               Fundamentals
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               the
               main
               
                 assisting
                 Principles
              
               also
               .
               And
               I
               call
               nothing
               else
               
               Religion
               ,
               but
               
                 plain
                 Duties
              
               ,
               and
               
                 these
                 acknowledged
                 Principles
              
               .
               And
               though
               our
               Church
               require
               our
               assent
               to
               
                 more
                 Propositions
              
               ;
               yet
               those
               are
               only
               Articles
               of
               Communion
               ,
               not
               
                 Doctrines
                 absolutely
                 necessary
                 to
                 Salvation
              
               .
               And
               if
               we
               go
               beyond
               the
               Creed
               for
               the
               Essentials
               of
               Faith
               ;
               who
               can
               tell
               where
               you
               shall
               stop
               ?
               
                 The
                 sum
                 is
              
               ,
               Religion
               primarily
               is
               Duty
               ;
               And
               duty
               is
               
                 All
                 that
              
               which
               God
               hath
               co●…ded
               to
               be
               done
               by
               his
               Word
               ,
               or
               our
               Reasons
               ;
               and
               we
               have
               the
               substance
               of
               these
               in
               the
               
                 Commandments
                 :
                 Religion
              
               also
               in
               a
               secondary
               sense
               consists
               in
               some
               Principles
               relating
               to
               the
               Worship
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               of
               his
               Son
               ,
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               devo●…t
               ,
               and
               virtuous
               living
               ;
               and
               these
               are
               comprised
               in
               that
               Summary
               of
               belief
               called
               the
               
                 Apostles
                 Creed
              
               .
            
             
             
               This
               I
               take
               to
               be
               Religion
               ;
               and
               
                 this
                 Religion
              
               I
               shall
               prove
               to
               be
               reasonable
               :
               But
               I
               cannot
               undertake
               for
               all
               the
               Opinions
               some
               men
               are
               pleased
               to
               call
               Orthodox
               ;
               nor
               for
               all
               those
               that
               by
               
                 many
                 private
              
               persons
               ,
               and
               
                 some
                 Churches
              
               are
               counted
               
                 essential
                 Articles
              
               of
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Salvation
               .
               Thus
               I
               have
               stated
               what
               I
               mean
               by
               Religion
               .
            
             
               THE
               OTHER
               thing
               to
               be
               determined
               ,
               and
               fixt
               ,
               is
               ,
               the
               
                 proper
                 Notion
              
               of
               
                 Rea
                 on
              
               .
            
             
               
                 For
                 this
              
               you
               may
               please
               ●…o
               consider
               ,
               that
               Reason
               is
               sometimes
               taken
               for
               Reason
               in
               the
               Faculty
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Understanding
               ;
               and
               at
               other
               times
               ,
               for
               Reason
               in
               the
               object
               ,
               which
               consists
               in
               those
               Principles
               ,
               and
               Conclusions
               by
               which
               the
               Understanding
               is
               
                 informed
                 .
                 This
                 latter
              
               
               is
               meant
               in
               the
               dispute
               concerning
               the
               agreement
               ,
               or
               disagreement
               of
               Reason
               ,
               and
               Religion
               .
               And
               Reason
               in
               this
               sense
               ,
               is
               the
               same
               with
               
                 natural
                 truth
              
               ,
               which
               I
               said
               is
               made
               up
               of
               Principles
               ,
               and
               Conclusions
               .
               By
               the
               Principles
               of
               Reason
               we
               are
               not
               to
               understand
               the
               Grounds
               of
               any
               mans
               Philosophy
               ;
               nor
               the
               
                 Critical
                 Rules
              
               of
               Syllogism
               ;
               but
               those
               
                 imbred
                 fundamental
                 notices
              
               ,
               that
               God
               hath
               implanted
               in
               our
               Souls
               ;
               such
               as
               arise
               not
               from
               
                 external
                 objects
              
               ,
               nor
               particular
               humours
               ,
               or
               imaginations
               ;
               but
               are
               immediately
               lodged
               in
               our
               minds
               ;
               independent
               upon
               other
               principles
               or
               deductions
               ;
               commanding
               a
               
                 sudden
                 assent
              
               ;
               and
               acknowledged
               by
               all
               sober
               mankind
               .
            
             
               Of
               this
               sort
               are
               these
               .
            
             
             
               
                 That
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 Being
                 of
                 all
                 perfection
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 That
                 nothing
                 hath
                 no
                 Attributes
              
               .
            
             
               
                 That
                 a
                 thing
                 cannot
                 be
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 be
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 That
                 the
                 whole
                 is
                 greater
                 than
                 any
                 of
                 its
                 parts
                 .
              
               And
               such
               like
               others
               ,
               which
               are
               unto
               Us
               ,
               what
               instincts
               are
               to
               other
               Creatures
               .
               These
               I
               call
               the
               Principles
               of
               Reason
               .
               The
               Conclusions
               are
               those
               other
               notices
               ,
               that
               are
               inferred
               rightly
               from
               these
               ;
               and
               
                 by
                 their
                 help
              
               from
               the
               observations
               of
               sense
               ;
               And
               the
               remotest
               that
               can
               be
               conceived
               ,
               of
               all
               these
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               
                 rightly
                 inferred
              
               from
               the
               Principles
               of
               Reason
               ,
               or
               duely
               
                 circumstantiated
                 sense
              
               ,
               is
               as
               well
               to
               be
               reckoned
               a
               part
               and
               branch
               of
               Reason
               ,
               as
               the
               more
               
                 immediate
                 Conclusions
              
               ,
               that
               are
               Principles
               in
               respect
               of
               
                 those
                 distant
                 truths
              
               .
               And
               thus
               I
               have
               given
               an
               
               account
               also
               of
               the
               proper
               notion
               ,
               and
               nature
               of
               Reason
               .
            
             
               I
               AM
               to
               shew
               next
               (
               2
               )
               
                 That
                 Religion
                 is
                 reasonable
              
               ;
               and
               this
               implies
               two
               things
               ,
               
                 viz.
                 That
                 Reason
                 is
                 a
                 friend
                 to
                 Religion
              
               ;
               and
               that
               
                 Religion
                 is
                 so
                 to
                 Reason
              
               .
               From
               these
               two
               ,
               results
               their
               correspondence
               ,
               and
               agreement
               .
            
             
               I
               begin
               with
               the
               FIRST
               :
               and
               here
               I
               might
               easily
               shew
               the
               great
               congruity
               that
               there
               is
               between
               that
               light
               ,
               and
               those
               Laws
               ,
               that
               God
               hath
               placed
               in
               our
               Souls
               ;
               and
               the
               duties
               of
               Religion
               that
               by
               the
               expressness
               of
               his
               
                 written
                 Word
              
               he
               requires
               from
               us
               ;
               and
               demonstrate
               that
               Reason
               teacheth
               
                 All
                 those
              
               ,
               excepting
               only
               the
               two
               Positives
               ,
               Baptism
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 holy
                 Eucharist
              
               .
               But
               there
               is
               not
               so
               much
               need
               of
               turning
               my
               discourse
               that
               way
               ;
               
               and
               therefore
               I
               shall
               confine
               it
               to
               the
               Principles
               of
               Religion
               ,
               which
               are
               called
               Faith
               ,
               and
               prove
               that
               Reason
               mightily
               
                 befriends
                 these
              
               .
            
             
               It
               doth
               this
               (
               I.
               )
               
                 By
                 proving
                 some
                 of
                 those
                 Principles
              
               ;
               &
               (
               II.
               )
               
                 By
                 defending
                 all
              
               .
               For
               the
               clearing
               both
               these
               ,
               you
               may
               consider
               ,
               That
               the
               Principles
               of
               Religion
               are
               of
               two
               sorts
               :
               Either
               (
               1.
               )
               
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 presupposed
                 to
                 Faith
              
               ;
               or
               
                 such
                 as
              
               (
               2.
               )
               
                 are
                 formal
                 Articles
                 of
                 it
              
               .
               Of
               the
               first
               sort
               are
               ;
               The
               
                 Being
                 of
                 a
                 God
              
               ;
               and
               the
               
                 Authority
                 of
                 the
                 Scripture
              
               .
               And
               of
               the
               
                 second
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 expresly
                 declared
                 by
                 Divine
                 Testimony
              
               ;
               As
               the
               
                 Attributes
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 the
                 Incarnation
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
              
               and
               such
               like
               .
            
             
               (
               I.
               )
               For
               the
               
               former
               ●…ey
               are
               proved
               by
               Reason
               ;
               and
               by
               
                 Reason
                 only
              
               .
               The
               others
               we
               shall
               consider
               after
               .
            
             
             
               (
               I.
               )
               
                 That
                 the
                 Being
                 of
                 a
                 God
                 ,
              
               the
               foundation
               of
               all
               ,
               is
               proved
               by
               Reason
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               acknowledgeth
               ,
               when
               he
               saith
               ,
               That
               what
               was
               
                 to
                 be
                 known
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 was
                 manifest
              
               ;
               and
               to
               the
               Heathen
               ,
               Rom.
               I.
               XIX
               .
               and
               he
               adds
               ,
               vers
               .
               XX.
               That
               
                 the
                 invisible
                 things
                 from
                 the
                 Creation
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 are
                 clearly
                 seen
                 ,
                 being
                 understood
                 by
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 made
                 .
              
               And
               the
               Royal
               Psalmist
               speaks
               to
               the
               like
               purpose
               ,
               Psal.
               XIX
               .
               
                 The
                 Heavens
                 declare
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Firmament
                 sheweth
                 his
                 handy
                 works
                 .
              
               And
               again
               ,
               Psal.
               14.
               8.
               3.
               
               
                 Praise
                 him
                 Sun
                 and
                 Moon
                 ,
                 praise
                 him
                 ye
                 Stars
                 ,
                 and
                 Light
              
               ;
               which
               intimates
               ,
               that
               
                 these
                 Works
              
               of
               his
               afford
               matter
               to
               our
               reasons
               for
               religious
               acknowledgments
               .
               And
               Reason
               proves
               the
               existence
               of
               God
               ,
               from
               the
               beauty
               ,
               and
               order
               ,
               
               and
               ends
               ,
               and
               usefulness
               of
               the
               Creatures
               ;
               for
               these
               are
               demonstrative
               Arguments
               of
               the
               being
               of
               a
               wise
               ,
               and
               omnipotent
               mind
               ,
               that
               hath
               framed
               all
               things
               so
               orderly
               ,
               and
               exactly
               ;
               and
               
                 that
                 mind
              
               is
               God.
               This
               Article
               then
               ,
               Reason
               proves
               ,
               which
               was
               the
               first
               branch
               of
               the
               particular
               ;
               and
               I
               add
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               
                 Reason
                 only
              
               that
               can
               do
               it
               ;
               which
               was
               the
               other
               .
               This
               you
               will
               see
               when
               you
               consider
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               but
               three
               things
               from
               whence
               the
               existence
               of
               any
               Being
               can
               be
               concluded
               ,
               
                 viz.
                 Sense
                 ,
                 Revelation
              
               ,
               or
               Reason
               .
            
             
               For
               Sense
               ,
               it
               hath
               no
               more
               to
               do
               here
               but
               to
               present
               matter
               for
               our
               Reasons
               to
               work
               on
               ;
               and
               
                 Revelation
                 supposeth
              
               the
               Being
               of
               a
               God
               ,
               and
               cannot
               prove
               it
               ;
               for
               we
               can
               have
               no
               security
               that
               the
               Revelation
               
               is
               true
               ,
               till
               we
               are
               assured
               it
               is
               from
               God
               ;
               or
               from
               
                 some
                 Commissioned
              
               by
               him
               .
               The
               knowledge
               of
               his
               Being
               therefore
               ,
               must
               precede
               our
               Faith
               in
               Revelation
               ;
               and
               so
               cannot
               be
               deduced
               from
               it
               .
               Thus
               
                 Reason
                 befriends
                 Religion
              
               by
               laying
               
                 its
                 corner
                 stone
              
               .
            
             
               And
               the
               next
               to
               this
               is
               the
               other
               Principle
               mentioned
               .
            
             
               (
               II.
               )
               The
               
                 Divine
                 Authority
              
               of
               Scripture
               .
               This
               also
               is
               to
               be
               proved
               by
               Reason
               ,
               and
               only
               by
               It.
               The
               
                 great
                 Argument
              
               for
               the
               truth
               of
               Scripture
               is
               the
               Testimony
               of
               the
               Spirit
               in
               the
               Miracles
               wrought
               by
               Christ
               ,
               and
               his
               Apostles
               .
               Our
               Saviour
               himself
               useth
               this
               Argument
               to
               gain
               credit
               to
               his
               Doctrines
               ,
               
                 Believe
                 me
                 for
                 the
                 works
                 sake
                 ;
                 The
                 works
                 that
                 I
                 do
                 bear
                 testimony
                 of
                 me
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 I
                 had
                 not
                 done
                 among
                 them
              
               
               
                 the
                 works
                 that
                 no
                 other
                 man
                 did
                 ,
                 they
                 had
                 had
                 no
                 sin
                 ,
              
               Joh.
               XV.
               24.
               
               And
               the
               Apostles
               continually
               urge
               
                 that
                 great
                 Miracle
              
               ,
               the
               Resurrection
               of
               Christ
               from
               the
               dead
               for
               the
               conviction
               both
               of
               the
               Jews
               ,
               and
               Gentiles
               ,
               That
               he
               was
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               his
               
                 Doctrines
                 true
              
               .
               Now
               Miracles
               are
               an
               Argument
               to
               our
               Reasons
               ,
               and
               we
               reason
               from
               them
               thus
               :
               Miracles
               are
               
                 Gods
                 Seal
              
               ,
               and
               they
               are
               wrought
               by
               
                 his
                 Power
              
               ,
               and
               He
               is
               true
               ,
               and
               good
               ,
               and
               would
               not
               lend
               these
               to
               Impostors
               to
               cheat
               ,
               and
               abuse
               mankind
               .
               Therefore
               whoever
               works
               
                 real
                 Miracles
              
               for
               the
               confirmation
               of
               any
               Doctrine
               ,
               it
               is
               to
               be
               believed
               that
               He
               is
               taught
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               Commissioned
               to
               teach
               us
               .
               And
               that
               Christ
               ,
               and
               his
               Apostles
               did
               those
               things
               which
               are
               recorded
               of
               them
               ,
               is
               
               matter
               of
               Testimony
               ;
               and
               Reason
               clears
               the
               validity
               of
               this
               ,
               by
               the
               aggregation
               of
               multitudes
               of
               Circumstances
               ,
               which
               shew
               ,
               that
               the
               
                 first
                 Relators
              
               could
               not
               be
               deceived
               themselves
               ,
               and
               would
               not
               deceive
               us
               ;
               nor
               indeed
               could
               in
               the
               main
               matters
               ,
               if
               they
               had
               designed
               it
               .
               And
               the
               certainty
               of
               the
               conveyance
               of
               these
               things
               to
               us
               is
               evinced
               also
               by
               
                 numerous
                 convictive
                 Reasons
              
               :
               So
               that
               ,
               the
               matter
               of
               fact
               is
               secure
               ;
               and
               that
               such
               Doctrines
               were
               taught
               ,
               as
               are
               ascribed
               to
               those
               divine
               persons
               ;
               and
               those
               persons
               inspired
               that
               
                 penned
                 them
              
               ,
               are
               proved
               the
               same
               way
               :
               And
               so
               it
               follows
               from
               the
               whole
               ,
               that
               the
               Gospel
               is
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               the
               
                 Old
                 Testament
              
               is
               confirmed
               by
               that
               .
               Thus
               Reason
               proves
               the
               
                 Divine
                 Authority
              
               of
               Scripture
               ;
               and
               those
               
               other
               Arguments
               that
               use
               to
               be
               produced
               for
               it
               ,
               from
               
                 Its
                 style
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Its
                 influence
              
               upon
               the
               
                 Souls
                 of
                 men
              
               ;
               from
               the
               excellency
               of
               its
               design
               ;
               and
               the
               
                 Providence
                 of
                 God
              
               in
               preserving
               it
               ;
               are
               of
               the
               same
               sort
               ,
               though
               not
               of
               the
               same
               strength
               .
               Reason
               then
               proves
               the
               Scriptures
               ;
               and
               
                 this
                 only
              
               ;
               For
               that
               they
               are
               from
               God
               ,
               is
               not
               
                 kn●…wn
                 immediately
              
               by
               sense
               ;
               and
               there
               is
               no
               
                 distinct
                 Revelation
              
               that
               is
               certain
               ,
               and
               infallible
               to
               assure
               us
               of
               it
               ;
               and
               so
               Reason
               only
               remains
               to
               
                 de●…onstrate
                 this
              
               other
               
                 Fundamental
                 Article
              
               .
            
             
               These
               two
               great
               Truths
               ,
               
                 The
                 existence
                 of
                 God
              
               ;
               and
               
                 Authority
                 of
                 Scripture
              
               ,
               are
               the
               first
               in
               our
               Religion
               ;
               and
               they
               are
               Conclusions
               of
               Reason
               ,
               and
               Foundations
               of
               Faith.
               Thus
               briefly
               of
               
                 those
                 Principles
              
               of
               Religion
               that
               are
               Fundamentally
               
               such
               ;
               We
               have
               seen
               how
               Reason
               serves
               them
               ,
               by
               demonstrating
               their
               Truth
               ,
               and
               certainty
               .
            
             
               I
               COME
               now
               to
               the
               SECOND
               sort
               of
               
                 Principles
                 ,
                 viz.
              
               those
               that
               are
               
                 formally
                 so
                 ;
                 They
              
               are
               of
               
                 two
                 sorts
                 ,
                 mixt
              
               and
               pure
               :
               The
               mixt
               are
               those
               that
               are
               discovered
               by
               Reason
               ,
               and
               declared
               by
               
                 Revelation
                 also
              
               ;
               and
               so
               are
               Principles
               both
               of
               Reason
               ,
               and
               Faith
               :
               Of
               this
               kind
               are
               the
               Attributes
               of
               
                 God
                 ;
                 Moral
                 good
              
               ,
               and
               evil
               ;
               and
               the
               Immortality
               of
               
                 humane
                 Souls
              
               .
               The
               Principles
               of
               
                 pure
                 Faith
              
               ,
               are
               such
               as
               are
               known
               only
               by
               
                 Divine
                 Testimony
              
               ,
               as
               the
               
                 Miraculous
                 Conception
              
               ,
               the
               Incarnation
               ,
               and
               the
               Trinity
               .
               The
               first
               sort
               Reason
               proves
               as
               well
               as
               Scripture
               ,
               this
               I
               shew
               briefly
               in
               the
               alledged
               instances
               .
            
             
             
               (
               1.
               )
               That
               the
               
                 Divine
                 Attributes
              
               are
               revealed
               in
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Oracles
              
               ,
               't
               is
               clear
               ;
               and
               they
               are
               deduced
               from
               Reason
               also
               ;
               For
               't
               is
               a
               
                 general
                 Principle
              
               of
               all
               Mankind
               ,
               
                 That
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 Being
                 absolutely
                 perfect
              
               ;
               And
               hence
               
                 Reason
                 concludes
              
               all
               the
               
                 particular
                 Attributes
              
               of
               his
               Being
               ;
               since
               
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Power
              
               ,
               and
               the
               rest
               are
               perfections
               ,
               and
               imply
               nothing
               of
               imperfection
               ,
               or
               defect
               ;
               and
               therefore
               ought
               to
               be
               ascribed
               to
               the
               
                 infinitely
                 perfect
                 Essence
              
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               That
               there
               is
               
                 moral
                 good
              
               ,
               and
               evil
               ,
               is
               discoverable
               by
               Reason
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               Scripture
               .
               For
               these
               are
               
                 Reasons
                 Maxims
                 ;
                 That
                 every
                 thing
                 is
                 made
                 for
                 an
                 end
              
               ;
               and
               
                 every
                 thing
                 is
                 directed
                 to
                 its
                 end
                 by
                 certain
                 Rules
                 :
                 these
                 Rules
                 in
                 Creatures
                 of
                 understanding
                 ,
                 and
                 choice
                 ,
              
               
               
                 are
                 Laws
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 transgressing
                 these
                 ,
                 is
                 Vice
                 and
                 Sin.
                 
              
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               The
               Immortality
               of
               our
               Souls
               is
               plain
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               Reason
               proves
               it
               ,
               by
               shewing
               the
               Spirituality
               of
               our
               natures
               ;
               and
               that
               it
               doth
               from
               the
               nature
               of
               Sense
               ;
               and
               our
               perception
               of
               
                 spiritual
                 Beings
              
               ,
               and
               Universals
               ;
               Of
               
                 Logical
                 ,
                 Metaphysical
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Mathematical
                 Notions
              
               ;
               From
               our
               
                 compounding
                 Propositions
              
               ;
               and
               drawing
               Conclusions
               from
               them
               ;
               From
               the
               vastness
               ,
               and
               quickness
               of
               our
               Imaginations
               ;
               and
               Liberty
               of
               our
               Wills
               ,
               all
               which
               are
               beyond
               the
               powers
               of
               matter
               ,
               and
               therefore
               argue
               a
               Being
               that
               is
               spiritual
               ,
               and
               consequently
               immortal
               ,
               which
               inference
               ,
               the
               Philosophy
               of
               
                 Spirits
                 proves
              
               .
               Also
               ,
               the
               Moral
               Arguments
               of
               Reason
               from
               the
               goodness
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               
               his
               Justice
               in
               distributing
               rewards
               and
               punishments
               ;
               the
               nature
               of
               virtue
               ,
               and
               tendencies
               of
               
                 religious
                 appetites
              
               ,
               conclude
               ,
               I
               think
               ,
               
                 strongly
                 ,
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 life
                 after
                 this
                 .
              
               Thus
               in
               short
               of
               the
               Principles
               ,
               I
               called
               mixt
               ,
               which
               
                 Reason
                 demonstrates
              
               .
            
             
               BUT
               for
               the
               others
               ,
               viz.
               (
               II.
               )
               Those
               of
               
                 pure
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 Reason
              
               cannot
               prove
               them
               immediately
               ;
               nor
               is
               it
               to
               be
               expected
               that
               it
               should
               :
               For
               they
               are
               matters
               of
               Testimony
               ;
               and
               we
               are
               no
               more
               to
               look
               for
               
                 immediate
                 proof
              
               from
               Reason
               of
               those
               things
               ,
               than
               we
               are
               to
               expect
               ,
               that
               
                 abstracted
                 Reason
              
               should
               demonstrate
               ,
               That
               there
               is
               such
               a
               place
               as
               China
               ;
               or
               ,
               that
               there
               was
               such
               a
               man
               as
               
                 Julius
                 Caesar
              
               .
               All
               that
               it
               can
               do
               here
               ,
               is
               to
               assert
               ,
               and
               make
               good
               the
               credibility
               ,
               
               and
               truth
               of
               the
               Testimonies
               that
               relate
               such
               matters
               :
               and
               that
               it
               doth
               in
               the
               present
               case
               ,
               proving
               the
               Authority
               of
               Scripture
               ;
               and
               thereby
               in
               a
               remoter
               way
               ,
               It
               demonstrates
               all
               the
               Mysteries
               of
               Faith
               ,
               which
               the
               
                 Divine
                 Oracles
                 immediately
              
               discover
               .
               And
               it
               is
               no
               more
               disparagement
               to
               our
               Reasons
               ,
               that
               they
               cannot
               evince
               those
               
                 Sacred
                 Articles
              
               by
               their
               own
               unaided
               force
               ,
               than
               it
               is
               a
               disgrace
               unto
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               cannot
               know
               that
               there
               are
               such
               things
               ,
               as
               Colours
               ,
               without
               the
               help
               of
               our
               eyes
               ;
               or
               that
               there
               are
               Sounds
               ,
               without
               the
               faculty
               of
               hearing
               .
               And
               if
               Reason
               must
               be
               called
               blind
               upon
               this
               account
               ,
               because
               it
               cannot
               
                 know
                 of
                 it self
              
               such
               things
               as
               belong
               to
               Testimony
               to
               discover
               ;
               the
               
                 best
                 eyes
              
               in
               the
               world
               may
               be
               so
               accounted
               
               also
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               not
               sagacious
               enough
               to
               
                 see
                 sounds
              
               ;
               and
               the
               best
               
                 Palate
                 dull
              
               ,
               and
               dead
               ,
               because
               it
               cannot
               taste
               the
               Sun-beams
               .
            
             
               But
               though
               I
               have
               said
               ,
               that
               Reason
               cannot
               of
               it self
               ,
               
                 immediately
                 prove
              
               the
               truths
               of
               
                 pure
                 Revelation
              
               ;
               Yet
               (
               1.
               )
               it
               demonstrates
               the
               
                 divine
                 Authority
              
               of
               the
               Testimony
               that
               declares
               them
               ;
               and
               
                 that
                 way
                 proves
              
               even
               
                 these
                 Articles
              
               .
               If
               this
               be
               not
               enough
               ,
            
             
               I
               add
               the
               
                 second
                 Assertion
              
               ,
               (
               II.
               )
               That
               
                 Reason
                 defends
                 all
                 the
                 Mysteries
                 of
                 Faith
                 and
                 Religion
                 :
              
               and
               for
               this
               ,
               I
               must
               desire
               you
               to
               take
               notice
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               two
               ways
               ,
               whereby
               any
               thing
               may
               be
               defended
               ,
               viz.
               Either
               (
               1
               )
               By
               shewing
               the
               manner
               how
               the
               thing
               is
               ;
               or
               ,
               if
               that
               cannot
               be
               done
               ,
               by
               
               shewing
               (
               2
               )
               That
               it
               ought
               to
               be
               believed
               ,
               though
               the
               manner
               of
               it
               be
               not
               known
               :
               For
               instance
               ,
               if
               any
               one
               denies
               all
               sorts
               of
               Creatures
               were
               in
               the
               Ark
               ,
               under
               pretence
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               impossible
               they
               should
               be
               contained
               within
               such
               a
               space
               ;
               He
               that
               can
               shew
               how
               this
               might
               be
               ,
               by
               a
               distinct
               enumeration
               of
               the
               kinds
               of
               Animals
               ,
               with
               due
               allowance
               for
               the
               
                 unknown
                 Species
              
               ,
               and
               a
               computation
               of
               the
               
                 particular
                 capacity
              
               of
               the
               Ark
               ;
               he
               defends
               the
               
                 Sacred
                 History
              
               the
               
                 first
                 way
              
               :
               But
               if
               another
               denies
               the
               conversion
               of
               
                 Aaron's
                 Rod
              
               into
               a
               Serpent
               ,
               upon
               the
               same
               account
               ,
               of
               the
               unconceivableness
               of
               the
               manner
               ,
               how
               it
               was
               done
               ;
               this
               cannot
               indeed
               be
               defended
               the
               
                 former
                 way
              
               :
               But
               then
               it
               may
               ,
               by
               representing
               that
               the
               power
               of
               God
               is
               infinite
               ;
               
               and
               can
               easily
               do
               what
               we
               cannot
               comprehend
               ,
               how
               it
               is
               effected
               ;
               and
               that
               we
               ought
               to
               believe
               upon
               the
               credit
               of
               the
               Testimony
               (
               that
               being
               well
               proved
               to
               us
               )
               though
               the
               manner
               of
               
                 this
                 miraculous
              
               performance
               ,
               and
               such
               others
               as
               it
               relates
               ,
               
                 be
                 unknown
              
               .
               And
               a●…
               it
               is
               in
               this
               last
               case
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               in
               all
               the
               mysteries
               of
               Faith
               ,
               and
               
                 Religion
                 ;
                 Reason
              
               cannot
               defend
               them
               indeed
               the
               first
               way
               :
               But
               then
               it
               doth
               the
               second
               ,
               by
               shewing
               ,
               that
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               is
               insinite
               ,
               and
               
                 our
                 Concep●…ions
              
               very
               shallow
               ,
               and
               sinite
               ;
               that
               't
               is
               therefore
               very
               unreasonable
               in
               us
               to
               indeavour
               to
               pry
               into
               the
               secrets
               of
               his
               Being
               ,
               &
               actions
               ;
               and
               to
               think
               that
               we
               can
               measure
               ,
               and
               comprehend
               them
               :
               That
               we
               know
               not
               the
               Essence
               ,
               and
               ways
               of
               acting
               of
               the
               most
               ordinary
               ,
               and
               obvious
               
               things
               of
               Nature
               ,
               &
               therefore
               must
               not
               expect
               throughly
               to
               understand
               the
               
                 deeper
                 things
              
               of
               God
               ;
               That
               God
               hath
               revealed
               those
               holy
               Mysteries
               unto
               us
               ;
               and
               that
               't
               is
               the
               
                 highest
                 reason
              
               in
               the
               world
               to
               believe
               ,
               That
               
                 what
                 He
                 saith
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 though
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 know
                 how
                 these
                 things
                 are
                 .
              
               These
               are
               all
               considerations
               of
               Reason
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               proposal
               of
               them
               ,
               it
               sufficiently
               defends
               all
               the
               Mysteries
               ,
               that
               can
               be
               proved
               to
               be
               contained
               in
               the
               Sacred
               Volume
               ;
               and
               shews
               that
               they
               ought
               to
               be
               received
               by
               us
               ,
               though
               they
               cannot
               be
               comprehended
               .
               Thus
               if
               any
               one
               should
               ask
               me
               ,
               
                 How
                 the
                 Divine
                 Nature
                 is
                 united
                 to
                 the
                 Humane
                 ?
              
               and
               declare
               himself
               unwilling
               to
               believe
               the
               Article
               till
               he
               could
               be
               satisfied
               how
               ;
               My
               answer
               would
               be
               in
               short
               ,
               That
               I
               
               
                 cannot
                 tell
              
               ;
               and
               yet
               I
               believe
               it
               is
               so
               ;
               and
               he
               ought
               to
               believe
               the
               same
               ,
               upon
               the
               credit
               of
               the
               Testimony
               ,
               though
               we
               are
               both
               ignorant
               of
               the
               manner
               .
               And
               I
               would
               suggest
               ,
               that
               we
               believe
               innumerable
               things
               upon
               the
               evidence
               of
               our
               senses
               ,
               whose
               nature
               ,
               and
               properties
               we
               do
               not
               know
               .
               
                 How
                 the
                 parts
                 of
                 matter
                 cohere
              
               ;
               and
               
                 how
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 united
                 to
                 the
                 body
              
               ;
               are
               questions
               we
               cannot
               answer
               ;
               and
               yet
               that
               such
               things
               are
               ,
               we
               do
               
                 not
                 doubt
              
               :
               And
               why
               ,
               saith
               Reason
               ,
               should
               we
               not
               believe
               Gods
               revelation
               of
               things
               we
               cannot
               comprehend
               ;
               as
               well
               as
               we
               do
               our
               senses
               about
               matters
               as
               
                 little
                 understood
              
               by
               us
               ?
               'T
               is
               no
               doubt
               reasonable
               that
               we
               should
               ,
               and
               by
               proving
               it
               is
               so
               ,
               Reason
               defends
               all
               the
               Propositions
               of
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Religion
               .
               And
               when
               
               some
               of
               These
               are
               said
               to
               be
               
                 Above
                 Reason
              
               ,
               no
               more
               is
               meant
               ,
               than
               that
               Reason
               cannot
               
                 conceive
                 how
                 those
                 things
                 are
              
               ;
               and
               in
               that
               sense
               many
               of
               the
               affairs
               of
               nature
               are
               
                 above
                 it
              
               too
               .
            
             
               Thus
               I
               have
               shewn
               how
               
                 serviceable
                 Reason
                 is
              
               to
               Religion
               .
               I
               am
               next
               to
               prove
               ,
            
             
               (
               II.
               )
               
                 That
                 Religion
                 befriends
                 it
              
               :
               and
               here
               I
               offer
               some
               Testimonies
               from
               the
               holy
               Oracles
               to
               make
               that
               good
               ;
               and
               in
               them
               we
               shall
               see
               ,
               how
               GOD
               himself
               ,
               and
               CHRIST
               ,
               and
               his
               APOSTLES
               ,
               do
               owne
               ,
               and
               acknowledge
               Reason
               .
            
             
               〈◊〉
               consider
               then
               that
               GOD
               ,
               Isa.
               1.
               18.
               calls
               the
               rebellious
               Israelites
               to
               reason
               with
               him
               ;
               
                 Come
                 now
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 us
                 reason
                 together
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ;
               and
               by
               Reason
               he
               convinceth
               
               the
               people
               of
               the
               vanity
               of
               Idols
               ,
               Isa.
               44.
               9.
               
               And
               he
               expos●…ulates
               with
               their
               Reasons
               ,
               Ez●…k
               .
               18.
               31.
               
               
                 Why
                 will
                 ye
                 die
                 ,
                 ye
                 house
                 of
                 Israel
                 ?
              
               And
               Mich.
               6.
               3.
               
               
                 O
                 my
                 people
                 ,
                 what
                 have
                 I
                 done
                 unto
                 thee
                 ?
                 And
                 wherein
                 have
                 I
                 wearied
                 thee
                 ?
                 Testisie
                 against
                 me
                 .
              
               He
               appeals
               unto
               their
               Reasons
               ,
               to
               judge
               of
               his
               proceedings
               .
               Isa.
               5.
               3.
               
               
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 O
                 inhabitants
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 men
                 of
                 Judah
                 ,
                 judge
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 be●…ween
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 vineyard
                 ;
                 are
                 not
                 my
                 ways
                 equal
                 ?
              
               and
               
                 are
                 not
                 your
                 ways
                 unequal
              
               ?
               In
               this
               he
               intimates
               the
               competency
               of
               their
               Reasons
               to
               judge
               of
               the
               equity
               of
               his
               ways
               ,
               and
               the
               iniquity
               of
               
                 their
                 own
              
               .
            
             
               And
               OUR
               SAVIOUR
               commands
               the
               Disciples
               of
               the
               Pharisees
               to
               
                 give
                 unto
                 Caesar
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 Caesars
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 God
                 the
              
               
               
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 Gods
              
               ;
               implying
               the
               ability
               of
               their
               Reasons
               to
               distinguish
               between
               the
               things
               ,
               that
               belonged
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               those
               ,
               that
               appertained
               to
               Caesar.
               And
               he
               in
               divers
               places
               argues
               from
               the
               Principles
               ,
               and
               Topicks
               of
               Reason
               .
               From
               that
               which
               we
               call
               ,
               
                 à
                 majori
                 ad
                 minus
              
               ,
               from
               the
               greater
               to
               the
               
                 less
                 ,
                 John
              
               13.
               14
               
               ▪
               He
               shews
               it
               to
               be
               the
               duty
               of
               his
               Disciples
               to
               serve
               their
               brethren
               in
               the
               meanest
               Offices
               ,
               and
               to
               wash
               one
               anothers
               feet
               ,
               because
               he
               had
               
                 washed
                 theirs
              
               ,
               Vers.
               14.
               in●…cing
               it
               by
               
                 this
                 consideration
              
               of
               
                 Reason
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Servant
                 is
                 not
                 greater
                 than
                 his
                 Lord
              
               ;
               Vers.
               16.
               and
               useth
               the
               same
               ,
               John
               15.
               20.
               to
               shew
               ,
               that
               they
               must
               
                 expect
                 persecution
              
               ,
               because
               He
               ,
               their
               Lord
               ,
               was
               persecuted
               .
               And
               Luke
               12.
               23.
               
               He
               endeavours
               to
               take
               them
               off
               
               from
               
                 carking
                 care
              
               and
               solicitude
               about
               meat
               and
               raiment
               ,
               by
               this
               consideration
               from
               Reason
               ,
               that
               
                 the
                 life
                 is
                 more
                 than
                 meat
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 body
                 than
                 raiment
              
               ;
               intimating
               that
               God
               having
               given
               them
               the
               greater
               ,
               there
               was
               no
               doubt
               ,
               but
               he
               would
               bestow
               the
               less
               ,
               which
               was
               necessary
               for
               the
               preservation
               of
               that
               .
               To
               these
               instances
               I
               add
               some
               few
               from
               the
               Topick
               
                 à
                 minori
                 ad
                 majus
              
               ,
               from
               the
               less
               to
               the
               greater
               ,
               in
               the
               arguings
               of
               our
               Saviour
               .
               Thus
               Mat.
               7.
               11.
               
               
                 If
                 ye
                 being
                 evil
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 give
                 good
                 gifts
                 to
                 your
                 children
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 shall
                 your
                 Father
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 give
                 good
                 things
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 ask
                 him
                 ?
              
               The
               ground
               of
               the
               Consequence
               is
               
                 this
                 Principle
              
               of
               
                 Reason
                 ,
                 That
                 God
                 is
                 more
                 benigne
                 ,
                 and
                 gracious
                 than
                 the
                 tenderest
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 affectionate
                 of
              
               
               
                 our
                 earthly
                 Parents
              
               .
               So
               Luke
               12.
               24.
               
               He
               argues
               ,
               that
               God
               will
               provide
               for
               Us
               ,
               because
               he
               doth
               for
               the
               Ravens
               ,
               since
               we
               are
               better
               than
               
                 they
                 ;
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 are
                 ye
                 better
                 than
                 the
                 sowls
                 ?
              
               Which
               arguing
               supposeth
               this
               Principle
               of
               Reason
               ,
               that
               that
               wisdom
               ,
               and
               goodness
               which
               are
               indulgent
               to
               the
               viler
               Creatures
               ,
               will
               not
               neglect
               the
               
                 more
                 excellent
              
               .
               He
               proceeds
               surther
               in
               the
               same
               Argument
               by
               the
               consideration
               of
               Gods
               
                 cloathing
                 the
                 Lillies
              
               ,
               and
               makes
               the
               
                 like
                 inference
              
               from
               it
               ,
               Vers.
               28.
               
               
                 If
                 God
                 so
                 cloath
                 the
                 grass
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 will
                 he
                 cloath
                 you
                 ?
              
               And
               Mat.
               12.
               
               He
               reasons
               that
               it
               was
               lawful
               for
               him
               to
               heal
               on
               the
               
                 Sabbath
                 day
              
               ,
               from
               the
               consideration
               of
               the
               general
               mercy
               that
               is
               due
               even
               to
               brute
               Creatures
               ;
               
                 What
                 man
                 shall
                 there
              
               
               
                 be
                 among
                 you
                 that
                 shall
                 have
                 one
                 sheep
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 it
                 fall
                 into
                 a
                 pit
                 on
                 the
                 Sabbath
                 day
                 ,
                 will
                 he
                 not
                 lay
                 hold
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 lift
                 it
                 out
                 ?
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 then
                 is
                 a
                 man
                 better
                 than
                 a
                 sheep
                 ?
              
               Vers.
               12.
               
               Thus
               
                 our
                 Saviour
              
               used
               Arguments
               of
               Reason
               .
            
             
               And
               the
               APOSTLES
               did
               so
               very
               frequently
               .
               S.
               Paul
               disproves
               
                 Idolatry
                 this
              
               way
               ,
               Acts
               17.
               29.
               
               
                 Forasmuch
                 then
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 Off-spring
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Godhead
                 is
                 like
                 unto
                 gold
                 ,
                 or
                 silver
                 ,
                 or
                 stone
                 graven
                 by
                 Art.
              
               And
               the
               
                 same
                 Apostle
              
               proves
               the
               Resurrection
               of
               the
               Dead
               by
               the
               mention
               of
               seven
               gross
               absurdities
               that
               would
               follow
               the
               denial
               of
               it
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               1.
               15.
               viz.
               
                 If
                 the
                 dead
                 rise
                 not
              
               ,
               Then
               1.
               
               
                 Christ
                 is
                 not
                 risen
              
               ;
               And
               then
               2.
               
                 our
                 Preaching
                 is
                 vain
              
               ,
               and
               
                 we
                 false
                 Apostles
              
               ;
               And
               if
               so
               ,
               
               3.
               
                 your
                 Faith
                 is
                 vain
              
               ;
               And
               then
               4.
               you
               are
               not
               justified
               ,
               but
               
                 are
                 in
                 your
                 sins
              
               ;
               And
               hence
               it
               will
               follow
               5.
               
               That
               those
               that
               are
               departed
               in
               the
               
                 same
                 Faith
              
               are
               perished
               ;
               And
               then
               6.
               
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               profits
               only
               in
               this
               life
               ;
               And
               if
               so
               ,
               7.
               
                 we
                 are
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 the
                 most
                 miserable
                 ,
              
               Because
               we
               suffer
               all
               things
               for
               
                 this
                 Faith
              
               ;
               From
               Vers.
               14.
               to
               vers
               .
               19
               ▪
               And
               the
               whole
               Chapter
               contains
               
                 Philosophical
                 Reasoning
              
               either
               to
               prove
               ,
               or
               illustrate
               the
               Resurrection
               ;
               or
               to
               shew
               the
               difference
               of
               glorified
               bodies
               ,
               from
               these
               .
               And
               S.
               Peter
               ,
               in
               his
               second
               Epistle
               ,
               Chap.
               2.
               shews
               ,
               that
               
                 sinful
                 men
              
               must
               expect
               to
               be
               punished
               ,
               because
               God
               
                 spared
                 not
                 the
                 Angels
                 that
                 fell
                 .
              
               Instances
               in
               this
               case
               ,
               are
               endless
               ;
               these
               may
               suffice
               .
               And
               thus
               of
               the
               Second
               thing
               also
               
               which
               I
               proposed
               to
               make
               good
               ,
               viz.
               
                 That
                 Religion
                 is
                 friendly
                 to
                 Reason
                 ,
              
               and
               that
               appears
               ,
               in
               that
               
                 God
                 himself
                 ,
                 our
                 Saviour
              
               ,
               and
               
                 his
                 Apostles
              
               owne
               it
               ;
               and
               use
               Arguments
               from
               it
               ,
               even
               in
               a●…fairs
               of
               Faith
               and
               Religion
               .
            
             
               BUT
               Scripture
               ;
               the
               Rule
               of
               Faith
               is
               pretended
               against
               it
               ;
               and
               
                 other
                 Considerations
              
               also
               :
               These
               therefore
               come
               next
               to
               be
               considered
               ;
               and
               the
               dealing
               with
               
                 those
                 pretensions
              
               was
               the
            
             
               (
               III.
               )
               General
               I
               proposed
               to
               discuss
               .
            
             
               AS
               for
               Arguments
               from
               Scripture
               against
               the
               use
               of
               Reason
               ,
               'T
               is
               alledged
               (
               1.
               )
               From
               1
               Cor.
               1.
               where
               't
               is
               said
               ,
               That
               God
               will
               destroy
               the
               
                 wisdom
                 of
                 the
                 wise
              
               ,
               vers
               .
               19.
               
               And
               
                 the
                 world
                 by
                 wisdom
                 knew
                 not
                 God
                 ,
              
               
               vers
               .
               21.
               
               And
               
                 not
                 many
                 wise
                 men
                 after
                 the
                 flesh
                 are
                 called
                 ,
              
               vers
               .
               26.
               
               And
               
                 God
                 chose
                 the
                 foolish
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 world
                 to
                 confound
                 the
                 wise
                 ,
              
               vers
               .
               27.
               
               By
               which
               Expressions
               ,
               of
               wisdom
               and
               wise
               ,
               't
               is
               presumed
               that
               
                 Humane
                 Reason
              
               ,
               and
               rational
               men
               ,
               are
               meant
               .
               But
               these
               Interpreters
               mistake
               the
               matter
               much
               ,
               and
               as
               they
               are
               wont
               to
               do
               ,
               put
               
                 arbitrary
                 Interpretations
              
               upon
               Scripture
               ,
               without
               ground
               .
               For
               by
               Wisdom
               here
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               cause
               to
               understand
               the
               Reason
               of
               men
               ;
               but
               rather
               the
               Traditions
               of
               the
               Jews
               ;
               the
               Philosophy
               of
               the
               
                 disputing
                 ●…reeks
              
               ;
               and
               the
               
                 worldly
                 Polrey
              
               of
               the
               Romans
               ,
               who
               were
               the
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 The
                 Rulers
                 of
                 that
                 World.
              
               That
               the
               Jewish
               learning
               in
               their
               Law
               is
               meant
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               intimates
               ,
               when
               he
               a●…ks
               in
               a
               way
               of
               
               Challenge
               ,
               vers
               .
               20.
               
               
                 Where
                 is
                 the
                 Scribe
              
               ?
               And
               the
               word
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               signifies
               one
               that
               was
               skill'd
               in
               their
               Laws
               ,
               and
               Customs
               .
               And
               that
               the
               Philosophy
               of
               the
               Greeks
               is
               to
               be
               understood
               likewise
               ,
               we
               have
               ground
               to
               believe
               from
               the
               other
               question
               in
               the
               same
               verse
               ;
               
                 Where
                 is
                 the
                 Disputer
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ?
              
               Which
               ,
               though
               some
               refer
               ,
               to
               the
               Doctors
               among
               the
               Jews
               also
               ,
               yet
               I
               humbly
               think
               ,
               it
               may
               more
               properly
               be
               understood
               of
               the
               Philosophers
               among
               the
               Grecians
               ;
               For
               the
               Apostle
               writes
               to
               Greeks
               ,
               and
               
                 their
                 Philosophy
              
               was
               
                 notoriously
                 contentious
              
               .
               And
               lastly
               ,
               that
               the
               
                 worldly
                 Policies
              
               o●…
               the
               Romans
               are
               included
               also
               ,
               in
               this
               Wisdom
               of
               this
               World
               ,
               which
               the
               Apostle
               vilisies
               ,
               there
               is
               cause
               to
               think
               from
               the
               
                 sixth
                 verse
                 of
                 the
                 second
                 Chapter
                 ,
              
               
               where
               he
               saith
               ,
               
                 He
                 spake
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 the
                 Princes
                 of
                 this
                 World
              
               ;
               And
               't
               is
               well
               known
               that
               Policy
               was
               their
               most
               
                 valued
                 Wisdom
                 ;
                 〈◊〉
                 regere
                 imperio
              
               —
               To
               govern
               the
               Nations
               ,
               and
               promote
               the
               grandeur
               of
               their
               Empire
               ,
               was
               the
               great
               design
               ,
               and
               study
               of
               those
               Princes
               of
               
                 this
                 World.
              
               Now
               all
               these
               the
               Apo●…le
               sets
               at
               nought
               ,
               in
               the
               beginning
               of
               this
               Epistle
               ;
               Because
               they
               were
               very
               opposite
               to
               the
               simplicity
               ,
               and
               
                 holiness
                 ,
                 selfde●…al
              
               ,
               and
               meekness
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
               But
               what
               is
               this
               to
               the
               disadvantage
               of
               Reason
               ,
               to
               which
               indeed
               those
               sorts
               of
               Wisdom
               are
               as
               contrary
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               to
               Religion
               ?
               And
               by
               this
               I
               am
               enabled
               ,
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               To
               meet
               another
               Objection
               urged
               from
               1
               Cor.
               2.
               14.
               
               
                 But
                 the
                 natural
                 man
                 receiveth
                 not
                 the
                 things
              
               
               
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 foolishness
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 neither
                 can
                 he
                 know
                 them
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 spiritually
                 discerned
                 .
              
               Hence
               the
               Enthusiast
               argues
               the
               
                 Universal
                 inability
              
               of
               Reason
               in
               things
               of
               Religion
               ;
               and
               its
               Antipathy
               to
               them
               .
               Whereas
               I
               can
               apprehend
               
                 no
                 more
              
               to
               be
               meant
               by
               the
               words
               ,
               than
               
                 this
                 ,
                 viz.
              
               That
               such
               kind
               of
               natural
               men
               as
               those
               Scribes
               ,
               and
               Disputers
               ,
               and
               Politicians
               ,
               having
               their
               minds
               depraved
               ,
               and
               prepossess'd
               with
               their
               own
               wisdom
               ▪
               were
               indisposed
               to
               receive
               this
               ,
               that
               was
               so
               contrary
               unto
               it
               .
               And
               they
               could
               not
               know
               those
               
                 things
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               because
               they
               were
               spiritual
               ,
               and
               so
               would
               require
               a
               mind
               that
               was
               of
               a
               pure
               ,
               and
               spiritual
               frame
               ,
               
                 viz.
                 free
              
               from
               that
               
                 earthly
                 Wisdom
              
               of
               all
               sorts
               ,
               which
               counts
               those
               
               thing●…
               foolishness
               ;
               and
               which
               by
               God
               ,
               is
               counted
               so
               it self
               .
               1
               Cor.
               3.
               19.
               which
               place
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               Is
               used
               as
               another
               〈◊〉
               against
               Reason
               .
               
                 The
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 is
                 foolishness
                 with
                 God
                 :
              
               But
               it
               can
               signi●…e
               nothing
               to
               that
               purpose
               ,
               to
               one
               ,
               that
               understands
               ,
               and
               considers
               the
               Apostles
               meaning
               .
               What
               is
               meant
               by
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               this
               World
               here
               ,
               I
               have
               declared
               already
               ;
               And
               by
               the
               former
               part
               of
               my
               Discourse
               it
               appears
               ,
               that
               whatever
               is
               to
               be
               understood
               by
               it
               ,
               our
               
                 Reason
                 cannot
              
               ;
               since
               that
               either
               proves
               ,
               or
               defends
               all
               the
               Articles
               of
               Religion
               .
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               And
               when
               the
               
                 same
                 Apostle
              
               elsewhere
               ,
               viz.
               2
               Cor.
               1.
               12.
               saith
               ,
               that
               
                 They
                 had
                 not
                 their
                 conversation
                 in
                 fleshly
                 wisdom
              
               ;
               we
               cannot
               think
               he
               meant
               humane
               
               Reason
               by
               
                 that
                 ;
                 Reason
              
               directs
               us
               to
               live
               in
               simplicity
               ,
               and
               godly
               sincerity
               ,
               which
               he
               opposeth
               to
               a
               life
               in
               
                 fleshly
                 wisdom
              
               .
               By
               this
               therefore
               ,
               no
               doubt
               ,
               he
               means
               the
               Reason
               of
               our
               Appetites
               ,
               and
               Passions
               ,
               which
               is
               but
               sense
               and
               imagination
               (
               for
               these
               blind
               guides
               are
               the
               directors
               of
               the
               Wicked
               )
               but
               not
               the
               Reason
               of
               our
               minds
               ,
               which
               is
               one
               of
               those
               lights
               that
               illuminate
               the
               Consciences
               of
               good
               men
               ,
               and
               help
               to
               guide
               their
               actions
               .
               And
               whereas
               't
               is
               objected
               ,
            
             
               (
               5.
               )
               From
               Col.
               2.
               8.
               
               
                 Beware
                 lest
                 any
                 spoil
                 you
                 through
                 Philosophy
                 .
              
               I
               answer
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               can
               be
               made
               of
               that
               neither
               ,
               for
               the
               disgrace
               of
               Reason
               ;
               for
               the
               Philosophy
               the
               Apostle
               cautions
               against
               ,
               is
               the
               same
               which
               he
               warns
               Timothy
               of
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               4.
               
               
                 Neither
                 give
              
               
               
                 heed
                 to
                 Fables
                 and
                 endless
                 Genealogies
                 that
                 minister
                 Questions
              
               ;
               calling
               
                 these
                 ,
                 prophane
              
               ,
               and
               vain
               bablings
               ,
               and
               oppositions
               of
               
                 Science
                 falsely
                 so
                 called
              
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               6.
               20.
               
               By
               all
               which
               ,
               learned
               Interpreters
               understand
               the
               
                 pretended
                 knowledge
              
               ,
               of
               which
               the
               Gnosticks
               boasted
               ,
               which
               consisted
               in
               the
               
                 fabulous
                 pedigrees
              
               of
               the
               Gods
               under
               the
               name
               of
               Aeones
               ;
               and
               it
               may
               be
               the
               Genealogies
               of
               which
               the
               Jews
               were
               so
               fond
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 disputing
                 Philosophy
              
               among
               the
               Greeks
               ,
               which
               was
               properly
               ,
               
                 Science
                 falsely
                 so
                 called
              
               ,
               and
               did
               minister
               Questions
               ,
               and
               
                 endless
                 strife
              
               ;
               I
               say
               't
               is
               very
               probable
               these
               might
               be
               comprehended
               also
               :
               But
               Reason
               is
               no
               otherwise
               concerned
               in
               all
               this
               ,
               but
               as
               condemning
               ,
               and
               reproving
               these
               dangerous
               follies
               .
            
             
             
               THUS
               we
               see
               the
               pretensions
               from
               Scripture
               against
               Reason
               are
               vain
               .
               But
               there
               are
               
                 Other
                 Considerations
              
               by
               which
               it
               useth
               to
               be
               impugned
               ,
               as
               ,
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               OUR
               Reason
               is
               corrupted
               ,
               and
               
                 therefore
                 is
                 not
                 sit
                 to
                 meddle
                 in
                 spiritual
                 matters
                 .
              
            
             
               To
               this
               I
               say
               ,
               That
               Reason
               ,
               a●…
               it
               is
               taken
               for
               the
               faculty
               of
               understanding
               ,
               is
               very
               much
               weakened
               ,
               and
               impaired
               ;
               It
               sees
               but
               little
               ,
               and
               that
               very
               
                 dully
                 ,
                 through
                 a
                 glass
                 darkly
                 ,
              
               as
               the
               Apostle
               saith
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               13.
               
               And
               it
               is
               very
               liable
               to
               be
               misled
               by
               our
               senses
               ,
               and
               affections
               ,
               and
               interests
               ,
               and
               imaginations
               ;
               so
               that
               we
               many
               times
               mingle
               errors
               ,
               and
               false
               conceits
               with
               the
               genuine
               dictates
               of
               our
               minds
               ,
               and
               appeal
               to
               them
               ,
               as
               the
               Principles
               
               of
               Truth
               ,
               and
               Reason
               ,
               wh●…n
               they
               are
               but
               the
               
                 vain
                 Images
              
               of
               our
               Phansies
               ,
               or
               the
               
                 false
                 Conclusions
              
               of
               ignorance
               ,
               and
               mistake
               .
               If
               this
               b●…
               meant
               by
               the
               corruption
               of
               Reason
               ,
               I
               grant
               it
               ;
               and
               all
               that
               can
               be
               inferred
               from
               it
               will
               be
               ;
               
                 That
                 we
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 bold
                 ,
                 and
                 peremptory
                 in
                 defining
                 speculative
                 ,
                 and
                 difficult
                 matters
                 ;
                 especially
                 not
                 those
                 ,
                 that
                 relate
                 to
                 Religion
                 ,
                 nor
                 set
                 our
                 Reasonings
                 against
                 the
                 Doctrines
                 of
                 Faith
                 and
                 Revelation
                 .
              
               But
               this
               is
               nothing
               to
               the
               disreputation
               of
               Reason
               in
               the
               object
               ,
               viz.
               Those
               Principles
               of
               Truth
               which
               are
               
                 written
                 upon
                 our
                 Souls
              
               ;
               or
               any
               Conclusions
               that
               are
               deduced
               from
               them
               :
               These
               are
               the
               same
               that
               they
               
                 ever
                 were
              
               ,
               though
               we
               discern
               them
               not
               
                 so
                 clearly
              
               as
               the
               Innocent
               state
               did
               :
               They
               may
               be
               
               mistaken
               ,
               but
               cannot
               be
               corrupted
               .
               And
               as
               our
               understandings
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               their
               weakness
               ,
               and
               liableness
               to
               error
               ,
               may
               take
               fals●…oods
               for
               some
               of
               those
               ;
               or
               
                 infer
                 falsely
              
               from
               those
               that
               are
               
                 truly
                 such
              
               ;
               so
               we
               know
               ,
               they
               do
               the
               same
               by
               the
               Scriptures
               themselves
               ,
               viz.
               they
               very
               often
               mis-interpret
               ,
               and
               very
               often
               draw
               perverse
               conclusions
               from
               them
               ;
               And
               yet
               we
               say
               not
               ,
               That
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               is
               corrupted
               ,
               nor
               is
               the
               use
               of
               Scripture
               decryed
               because
               of
               those
               abuses
               .
               But
               here
               advantage
               will
               be
               taken
               to
               object
               again
               ,
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               
                 That
                 since
                 our
                 natural
                 understandings
                 are
                 so
                 weak
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 liable
                 to
                 mistake
                 ,
                 they
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 used
                 in
                 the
                 affairs
                 of
                 Religion
                 ;
                 and
                 't
                 will
                 signifie
                 little
                 to
                 us
                 that
                 there
                 are
                 certain
                 Principles
                 of
                 eternal
                 Reason
                 ,
              
               
               
                 if
                 we
                 either
                 perceive
                 them
                 not
                 ,
                 or
                 cannot
                 use
                 them
                 .
              
            
             
               To
               this
               I
               answer
               ,
               That
               if
               on
               this
               account
               we
               must
               renounce
               the
               use
               of
               our
               natural
               understandings
               ,
               Scripture
               will
               be
               useless
               to
               us
               also
               ;
               For
               how
               can
               we
               know
               the
               meaning
               of
               the
               words
               that
               express
               Gods
               mind
               unto
               us
               ?
               How
               can
               we
               compare
               one
               Scripture
               with
               another
               ?
               How
               can
               we
               draw
               any
               Consequence
               from
               it
               ?
               How
               
                 apply
                 General
              
               Propositions
               to
               our
               own
               particular
               cases
               ?
               How
               tell
               what
               is
               to
               be
               ●…aken
               in
               the
               Letter
               ;
               what
               in
               the
               Mystery
               ,
               what
               plainly
               ;
               what
               in
               a
               Figure
               ?
               What
               according
               to
               strict
               ,
               and
               
                 rigorous
                 truth
              
               ?
               What
               by
               way
               of
               accommodation
               to
               our
               apprehensions
               ?
               I
               say
               ,
               without
               the
               exercise
               of
               our
               
                 understandings
                 ,
                 using
              
               the
               Principles
               of
               Reason
               ,
               none
               of
               these
               
               can
               be
               done
               ,
               and
               without
               them
               Scripture
               will
               signifie
               either
               nothing
               at
               all
               ,
               or
               very
               li●…tle
               ,
               to
               us
               .
               And
               what
               can
               Religion
               get
               this
               way
               ?
               This
               inference
               therefore
               is
               absurd
               ,
               and
               impious
               .
               All
               that
               can
               justly
               be
               concluded
               from
               the
               weakness
               of
               our
               understandings
               ,
               will
               be
               what
               I
               intimated
               before
               ,
               that
               we
               ought
               to
               use
               them
               with
               modesty
               ,
               and
               caution
               ;
               not
               that
               we
               should
               renounce
               them
               .
               He
               is
               a
               mad-man
               ,
               who
               ,
               because
               his
               eyes
               are
               dim
               ,
               will
               therefore
               put
               them
               out
               .
            
             
               But
               it
               may
               be
               objected
               further
               ,
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               
                 That
                 which
                 men
                 call
                 Reason
                 is
                 infinitely
                 various
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 reasonable
                 to
                 one
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 very
                 irrational
                 to
                 another
                 ;
                 Therefore
                 Reason
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 heard
                 .
              
               And
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               Interpretations
               of
               Scripture
               are
               infinitely
               
               various
               ,
               and
               one
               calls
               
                 that
                 Scriptural
              
               ,
               which
               another
               calls
               Heretical
               ;
               Shall
               we
               conclude
               therefore
               ,
               That
               
                 Scripture
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 heard
                 ?
                 Reason
              
               in
               it self
               ,
               is
               the
               same
               all
               the
               World
               over
               ,
               though
               mens
               apprehensions
               of
               it
               are
               various
               ,
               as
               the
               light
               of
               the
               Sun
               is
               one
               ,
               though
               colours
               ,
               its
               reflexes
               ,
               are
               infinite
               .
               And
               where
               this
               is
               ,
               it
               ought
               not
               to
               be
               denied
               ,
               because
               follies
               ,
               and
               falshoods
               pretend
               relation
               to
               it
               ;
               or
               call
               themselves
               by
               that
               name
               .
               If
               so
               ,
               farewel
               Religion
               too
               .
            
             
               But
               (
               4.
               )
               '
               
                 T
                 is
                 Socinianism
                 to
                 plead
                 for
                 Reason
                 in
                 the
                 affairs
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 Religion
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               I
               answer
               ,
               'T
               is
               gross
               ●…ticism
               to
               plead
               against
               it
               .
               
               This
               ●…me
               is
               properly
               applicable
               to
               the
               enemies
               of
               Reason
               ;
               But
               the
               other
               of
               Socinianism
               is
               groundlesly
               applied
               to
               
               those
               that
               undertake
               for
               it
               ;
               and
               it
               absurdly
               supposeth
               that
               Socinians
               are
               the
               only
               rational
               men
               ;
               when
               as
               divers
               of
               their
               Doctrines
               ,
               such
               as
               ,
               The
               Sleep
               ,
               and
               
                 natural
                 mortality
              
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               and
               
                 utter
                 extinction
              
               ,
               and
               
                 anni●…ilation
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 after
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgment
                 ,
              
               are
               very
               ob●…oxious
               to
               Philosophy
               ,
               and
               Reason
               .
               And
               the
               Socinians
               can
               never
               be
               confuted
               in
               their
               other
               opinions
               without
               using
               Reason
               to
               maintain
               the
               sense
               ,
               and
               interpretation
               of
               those
               Scriptures
               that
               are
               alledged
               against
               them
               .
               'T
               is
               an
               easie
               thing
               ,
               we
               know
               ,
               to
               give
               an
               ugly
               name
               to
               any
               thing
               we
               dislike
               ;
               and
               by
               this
               way
               the
               most
               excellent
               ,
               and
               sacred
               things
               have
               been
               made
               contemptible
               ,
               and
               vile
               .
               I
               wish
               such
               hasty
               Censurers
               would
               consider
               before
               they
               call
               names
               ;
               
                 No
                 truth
                 is
                 the
              
               
               
                 worse
                 ,
                 because
                 rash
                 ignorance
                 hath
                 thrown
                 dirt
                 upon
                 it
                 .
              
               I
               need
               say
               no
               more
               to
               these
               
                 frivolous
                 Objections
              
               .
               Those
               that
               alledge
               Atheism
               ,
               and
               tendency
               to
               Infidelity
               against
               the
               reverence
               and
               use
               of
               Reason
               ,
               are
               disproved
               by
               my
               whole
               Discourse
               :
               Which
               shews
               that
               the
               enemies
               of
               Reason
               most
               usually
               serve
               the
               ends
               of
               the
               Infidel
               ,
               and
               the
               Atheist
               ;
               when
               as
               a
               
                 due
                 use
              
               of
               It
               ,
               destroys
               the
               pretensions
               of
               both
               .
            
             
               I
               COME
               now
               (
               IV.
               )
               to
               the
               Inferences
               that
               may
               be
               raised
               from
               the
               whole
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 Reason
                 is
                 certain
                 ,
                 and
                 in●…
              
               ;
               This
               follows
               from
               the
               state
               I
               gave
               of
               the
               Nature
               ,
               and
               notion
               of
               Reason
               in
               the
               beginning
               .
               It
               consists
               in
               
                 First
                 Principles
              
               ,
               and
               
               the
               Conclusions
               that
               are
               raised
               from
               them
               ,
               and
               the
               observations
               of
               sense
               .
               Now
               
                 first
                 Principles
              
               are
               certain
               ,
               or
               nothing
               can
               be
               so
               ;
               for
               every
               
                 p●…ssible
                 Conclusion
              
               must
               be
               drawn
               from
               those
               ,
               or
               
                 by
                 their
                 help
              
               ,
               and
               every
               Article
               of
               
                 Faith
                 supposeth
              
               them
               .
               And
               for
               the
               Propositions
               that
               arise
               from
               those
               certain
               Principles
               ,
               they
               are
               certain
               likewise
               ;
               For
               nothing
               can
               follow
               from
               truth
               ,
               but
               truth
               in
               the
               
                 longest
                 series
              
               of
               deduction
               .
               If
               error
               creep
               in
               ,
               there
               is
               
                 ill
                 consequence
              
               in
               the
               case
               .
               And
               the
               sort
               of
               Conclusions
               that
               arise
               from
               the
               observations
               of
               sense
               ,
               if
               the
               sense
               be
               
                 rightly
                 circumstantiated
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 inference
                 rightly
              
               made
               ,
               are
               certain
               also
               .
               For
               if
               our
               senses
               in
               all
               their
               
                 due
                 circumstances
                 deceive
              
               us
               ,
               All
               is
               a
               delusion
               ,
               and
               we
               are
               sure
               of
               nothing
               :
               But
               we
               know
               that
               first
               
               Principles
               are
               certain
               ,
               and
               that
               our
               senses
               do
               
                 not
                 deceive
              
               us
               ,
               because
               God
               ,
               that
               bestowed
               them
               upon
               us
               ,
               is
               true
               ,
               and
               good
               .
               And
               we
               are
               as
               much
               assured
               that
               whatever
               we
               duely
               conclude
               from
               either
               of
               them
               ,
               is
               
                 as
                 certain
              
               ,
               because
               whatever
               is
               
                 drawn
                 from
              
               any
               Principle
               ,
               was
               
                 vertually
                 contained
                 in
              
               it
               .
            
             
               (
               〈◊〉
               .
               )
               〈◊〉
               ,
               
                 That
                 Reason
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 sense
                 ,
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God.
                 viz.
                 that
                 ,
              
               which
               he
               hath
               written
               upon
               our
               minds
               ,
               and
               hearts
               ;
               as
               Scripture
               is
               that
               ,
               which
               is
               written
               in
               a
               Book
               .
               The
               former
               is
               the
               Word
               ,
               whereby
               he
               hath
               spoken
               to
               
                 all
                 Mankind
              
               ;
               the
               latter
               is
               that
               ,
               whereby
               he
               hath
               declared
               his
               Will
               to
               the
               Church
               ,
               and
               his
               peculiar
               people
               .
               Reason
               is
               that
               
                 Candle
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ,
               of
               which
               Solomon
               speaks
               ,
               Prov.
               20.
               27.
               
               
                 That
                 light
              
               ,
               whereby
               
                 Christ
                 hath
                 enlightned
              
               
               
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 cometh
                 into
                 the
                 world
                 ,
              
               John
               1.
               9.
               
               And
               ,
               
                 that
                 Law
                 whereby
                 the
                 Consciences
                 of
                 the
                 Heathen
                 either
                 accuse
                 ,
                 or
                 excuse
                 one
                 another
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               2.
               15.
               
               So
               that
               Hi●…rocles
               spoke
               well
               ,
               when
               he
               said
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 To
                 be
                 perswaded
                 by
                 God
                 and
                 right
                 Reason
                 is
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 thing
                 .
              
               And
               Luther
               called
               Philosophy
               ,
               within
               its
               own
               bounds
               ,
               
                 The
                 Truth
                 of
                 God.
              
               
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               
                 The
                 belief
                 of
                 our
                 Reasons
                 is
                 an
                 exercise
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 Faith
                 is
                 an
                 act
                 of
                 Reason
              
               ;
               The
               former
               part
               is
               clear
               ,
               from
               the
               last
               particular
               ,
               and
               we
               believe
               our
               Reasons
               ,
               because
               we
               have
               them
               from
               God
               ,
               who
               
                 cannot
                 mistake
              
               ,
               and
               
                 will
                 not
                 deceive
              
               .
               So
               that
               relying
               on
               them
               ,
               in
               things
               
                 clearly
                 perceived
              
               ,
               is
               
                 trust
                 in
                 Gods
                 veracity
                 ,
                 and
                 goodness
                 ,
              
               
               and
               that
               is
               an
               exercise
               of
               Faith.
               Thus
               Luke
               12.
               
               The
               not
               belief
               of
               Reason
               ,
               that
               suggests
               from
               
                 Gods
                 cloathing
                 the
                 Lillies
              
               ,
               that
               
                 He
                 will
                 provide
              
               for
               us
               ,
               is
               made
               by
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               a
               defect
               of
               Faith
               ,
               vers
               .
               28.
               
               
                 O
                 ye
                 of
                 little
                 Faith
              
               !
               And
               for
               the
               other
               part
               ,
               that
               Faith
               is
               an
               act
               of
               Reason
               ,
               that
               is
               evident
               also
               :
               For
               ,
               
                 'T
                 is
                 the
                 highest
                 Reason
                 to
                 believe
                 in
                 God
                 revealing
                 .
              
            
             
               (
               4.
               )
               
                 No
                 Principle
                 of
                 Reason
                 contrad●…ts
                 any
                 Articles
                 of
                 Faith.
              
               This
               follows
               upon
               the
               whole
               .
               
                 Faith
                 befriends
                 Reason
              
               ;
               and
               
                 Reason
                 serves
                 Religion
              
               ,
               and
               therefore
               
                 They
                 cannot
              
               clash
               .
               They
               are
               
                 both
                 certain
                 ,
                 both
              
               the
               truths
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               one
               truth
               doth
               not
               interfere
               with
               another
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               saith
               
                 Aristotle
                 ,
                 Truth
                 agrees
                 with
                 all
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 .
              
               Whatsoever
               contradicts
               
               Faith
               ,
               is
               opposite
               to
               Reason
               ;
               for
               't
               is
               a
               fundamental
               Principle
               of
               that
               ,
               That
               
                 God
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 believed
              
               .
               Indeed
               sometimes
               there
               is
               a
               seeming
               contradiction
               between
               them
               ;
               But
               then
               ,
               either
               something
               is
               taken
               for
               Faith
               ,
               that
               is
               but
               Phansie
               ;
               or
               something
               for
               Reason
               ,
               that
               is
               but
               Sophistry
               ;
               or
               the
               
                 supposed
                 contradiction
              
               is
               an
               error
               ,
               and
               mistake
               .
            
             
               (
               5.
               )
               
                 When
                 any
                 thing
                 is
                 pretended
                 from
                 Reason
                 ,
                 against
                 any
                 Article
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 we
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 cut
                 the
                 knot
                 ,
                 by
                 denying
                 Reason
                 ;
                 but
                 endeavour
                 to
                 untye
                 it
                 by
                 answering
                 the
                 Argument
                 ,
                 and
                 't
                 is
                 certain
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 fairly
                 answered
                 .
              
               For
               all
               Hereticks
               argue
               either
               from
               
                 false
                 Principles
              
               ,
               or
               fallacio●…ly
               conclude
               from
               true
               ones
               :
               So
               that
               our
               Faith
               is
               to
               
               be
               defended
               ,
               not
               by
               declaiming
               against
               Reason
               in
               such
               a
               case
               (
               which
               strengthens
               the
               enemy
               ,
               and
               ,
               to
               the
               great
               prejudice
               of
               Religion
               ,
               allows
               Reason
               on
               his
               side
               )
               But
               we
               must
               endeavour
               to
               defend
               it
               ,
               either
               by
               discovering
               the
               falshood
               of
               the
               Principles
               he
               useth
               in
               the
               name
               of
               Reason
               ;
               or
               the
               
                 ill
                 consequence
              
               ,
               which
               he
               calls
               ,
               proof
               .
            
             
               (
               6.
               )
               
                 When
                 any
                 thing
                 is
                 offered
                 us
                 for
                 an
                 Article
                 of
                 Faith
                 that
                 seems
                 to
                 contradict
                 Reason
                 ,
                 we
                 ought
                 to
                 see
                 that
                 there
                 be
                 good
                 cause
                 to
                 believe
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 divinely
                 revealed
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 sense
                 propounded
                 .
              
               If
               it
               be
               ,
               we
               may
               be
               assured
               from
               the
               
                 former
                 Aphorisms
              
               ,
               that
               the
               contradiction
               is
               but
               an
               appearance
               ;
               and
               it
               may
               be
               discovered
               to
               be
               so
               .
               But
               if
               the
               contradiction
               be
               real
               ,
               This
               can
               be
               
               no
               Article
               of
               Revelation
               ,
               or
               the
               Revelation
               hath
               not
               this
               sense
               .
               For
               God
               cannot
               be
               the
               Author
               of
               Contradictions
               ;
               and
               we
               have
               seen
               that
               Reason
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               Faith
               ,
               is
               his
               .
               I
               mean
               ,
               the
               
                 Principles
                 of
                 Natural
                 Truth
              
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               those
               of
               Revelation
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               saith
               
                 Aristotle
                 ,
                 Truth
                 is
                 throughout
                 contrary
                 to
                 falshood
              
               ;
               and
               what
               is
               true
               in
               Divinity
               ,
               cannot
               be
               false
               in
               Reason
               .
               'T
               is
               said
               indeed
               in
               the
               Talmud
               ,
               If
               two
               Rabbins
               disfer
               in
               Contradictories
               ,
               yet
               both
               have
               th●…ir
               Opinions
               from
               Moses
               ,
               and
               from
               God.
               But
               we
               are
               not
               obliged
               to
               such
               a
               non-sensi●…al
               kind
               of
               Faith
               ;
               And
               ought
               not
               to
               receive
               any
               thing
               a●…
               an
               Article
               in
               a
               sense
               ,
               that
               palpably
               
                 contradicts
                 Reason
                 ,
                 no
                 more
              
               than
               we
               may
               receive
               any
               in
               a
               sense
               that
               
                 contradicts
                 other
                 Scriptures
              
               .
               
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Reason
               accord
               as
               well
               as
               the
               
                 Old
                 Iestament
              
               ,
               and
               the
               New
               ;
               and
               the
               Analogy
               of
               Reason
               is
               to
               be
               ●…ded
               also
               ,
               because
               even
               that
               i●…
               Divine
               and
               Sacred
               .
            
             
               (
               7.
               )
               
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 revealed
                 ,
                 to
                 oblige
                 our
                 Faith
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 hath
                 given
                 us
                 reason
                 to
                 believe
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 revealed
                 it
                 .
              
               For
               though
               the
               thing
               be
               never
               so
               clearly
               told
               me
               ,
               If
               I
               have
               not
               reason
               to
               think
               ,
               that
               God
               is
               the
               Revealer
               of
               what
               is
               so
               declared
               ,
               I
               am
               not
               bound
               to
               believe
               ,
               except
               there
               be
               evidence
               in
               the
               thing
               it self
               .
               For
               't
               is
               not
               Faith
               ,
               but
               
                 vain
                 credulity
              
               to
               believe
               every
               thing
               that
               pretends
               to
               be
               
                 from
                 God.
              
               So
               that
               we
               ought
               to
               ask
               our selves
               a
               Reason
               ,
               why
               we
               believe
               the
               Scripture
               to
               be
               the
               Revelation
               of
               Gods
               Will
               ,
               and
               ought
               not
               to
               assent
               to
               
               any
               sense
               put
               upon
               it
               ,
               till
               we
               have
               ground
               to
               think
               ,
               that
               
                 that
                 sense
              
               is
               
                 his
                 mind
              
               ?
               I
               say
               ,
               we
               must
               have
               ground
               ,
               either
               from
               our
               
                 particular
                 Reasons
              
               ,
               or
               the
               Authority
               of
               the
               Church
               ;
               otherwise
               our
               Faith
               is
               
                 vain
                 credulity
              
               ,
               and
               not
               Faith
               in
               God.
               
            
             
               (
               8.
               )
               
                 A
                 man
                 may
                 hold
                 an
                 erroneous
                 opinion
                 from
                 a
                 mistaken
                 sense
                 of
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 and
                 deny
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 the
                 proposition
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 right
                 meaning
                 of
                 the
                 Text
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 not
                 erre
                 in
                 Faith.
              
               For
               Faith
               is
               belief
               of
               
                 God
                 revealing
              
               :
               And
               if
               God
               have
               not
               so
               revealed
               this
               ,
               or
               that
               ,
               as
               to
               give
               us
               certain
               ground
               to
               believe
               this
               to
               be
               
                 his
                 sense
              
               ,
               he
               hath
               not
               sufficiently
               revealed
               it
               to
               oblige
               our
               Faith.
               So
               that
               ,
               though
               I
               deny
               such
               ,
               or
               such
               a
               sense
               ,
               while
               
               I
               believe
               ,
               it
               is
               
                 not
                 from
                 God
              
               ;
               his
               veracity
               ,
               and
               Authority
               is
               not
               concerned
               ,
               since
               I
               am
               ready
               however
               to
               give
               a
               chearful
               assent
               to
               whatever
               is
               clearly
               ,
               and
               sufficiently
               revealed
               .
               This
               Proposition
               follows
               from
               the
               former
               ,
               and
               must
               be
               understood
               only
               of
               those
               Doctrines
               that
               are
               difficult
               ,
               and
               
                 obscurely
                 delivered
              
               :
               And
               that
               many
               things
               are
               so
               delivered
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               is
               certain
               ;
               For
               some
               are
               only
               hinted
               ,
               and
               spoken
               
                 occasionally
                 ;
                 some
                 figuratively
              
               ,
               and
               by
               way
               of
               Parable
               ,
               and
               
                 Allegory
                 ;
                 some
              
               according
               to
               mens
               conceptions
               ;
               and
               some
               in
               ambiguous
               ,
               and
               
                 Aenigmatical
                 Phrases
              
               ;
               which
               obs●…urities
               may
               occasion
               mistake
               in
               those
               ,
               who
               are
               very
               ready
               to
               believe
               whatever
               God
               saith
               ;
               and
               when
               they
               do
               ,
               I
               should
               be
               loth
               to
               say
               that
               such
               erre
               in
               
               Faith
               ;
               Though
               those
               that
               wrest
               plain
               Texts
               to
               a
               compliance
               with
               their
               interests
               ,
               and
               their
               lusts
               ,
               Though
               their
               affections
               may
               bring
               their
               judgments
               to
               vote
               with
               them
               ;
               yet
               theirs
               is
               error
               in
               Faith
               with
               a
               witness
               ;
               and
               capable
               of
               no
               benefit
               from
               
                 this
                 Proposition
              
               .
            
             
               (
               9.
               )
               
                 In
                 searching
                 after
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 Scripture
                 we
                 ought
                 to
                 consult
                 the
                 Principles
                 of
                 Reason
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 do
                 other
                 Scriptures
                 .
              
               For
               we
               have
               shewn
               ,
               That
               Reason
               is
               
                 another
                 part
                 of
                 Gods
                 Word
              
               .
               And
               though
               the
               Scripture
               be
               suf●…icient
               to
               Its
               end
               ,
               yet
               Reason
               must
               be
               presupposed
               unto
               It
               ;
               for
               without
               this
               ,
               Scripture
               cannot
               be
               used
               ,
               nor
               compared
               ,
               nor
               applied
               ,
               nor
               understood
               .
            
             
               (
               10.
               )
               
                 The
                 essentials
                 of
                 Religion
                 are
                 so
                 plainly
                 revealed
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 no
                 man
                 can
                 miss
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 not
                 a
                 mighty
                 corrupt
                 bias
                 in
                 his
                 will
                 and
                 affections
                 to
                 infatuate
                 and
                 blind
                 his
                 understanding
                 .
                 Those
                 Essentials
              
               are
               contained
               in
               the
               Decalogue
               and
               the
               Creed
               :
               Many
               
                 〈◊〉
                 remoter
              
               Doctrines
               may
               be
               true
               ,
               but
               not
               Fundamental
               .
               For
               't
               is
               not
               agreeable
               to
               the
               goodness
               ,
               or
               justice
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               mens
               
                 eternal
                 interests
              
               should
               d●…pend
               upon
               things
               that
               are
               difficult
               to
               be
               understood
               ,
               and
               easily
               mistaken
               .
               If
               they
               did
               ;
               No
               man
               could
               be
               secure
               ,
               but
               that
               ,
               do
               what
               he
               could
               ,
               he
               should
               
                 perish
                 everlastingly
              
               for
               
                 not
                 believing
              
               ;
               or
               
                 believing
                 amiss
              
               some
               of
               those
               
                 difficult
                 points
              
               ,
               that
               are
               supposed
               necessary
               to
               salvation
               ;
               and
               all
               those
               that
               are
               ignorant
               ,
               and
               of
               weak
               understanding
               ,
               must
               perish
               without
               
               help
               ,
               or
               they
               must
               be
               saved
               by
               
                 implicit
                 Faith
              
               in
               
                 unknown
                 Fundamentals
              
               .
            
             
               THESE
               are
               some
               Propositions
               that
               follow
               from
               my
               Discourse
               ,
               and
               from
               
                 one
                 another
              
               .
               The
               be●…ter
               they
               are
               considered
               ,
               the
               more
               their
               force
               will
               be
               perceived
               ;
               and
               I
               think
               they
               may
               serve
               for
               many
               very
               considerable
               purposes
               of
               
                 Religion
                 ,
                 Charity
              
               ,
               and
               the
               peace
               of
               mankind
               .
            
             
               AND
               now
               give
               me
               leave
               to
               speak
               a
               word
               to
               You
               ,
               my
               Bre●…hren
               of
               the
               CLERGY
               ,
               (
               Those
               ,
               I
               mean
               of
               the
               Younger
               sort
               ,
               for
               I
               shall
               not
               pr●…sume
               to
               teach
               my
               Elders
               .
               )
               You
               have
               heard
               ,
               no
               doubt
               ,
               frequent
               ,
               and
               earnest
               declamations
               against
               Reason
               ,
               during
               the
               years
               of
               your
               Education
               ,
               and
               Youth
               ,
               we
               know
               ,
               receives
               impressions
               
               easily
               ;
               And
               I
               shall
               not
               wonder
               if
               you
               have
               been
               possessed
               with
               very
               
                 hard
                 thoughts
              
               of
               this
               pretended
               terrible
               enemy
               of
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Religion
               :
               But
               did
               you
               ever
               consider
               deeply
               since
               ,
               what
               ends
               of
               Religion
               ,
               or
               Sobriety
               ,
               such
               vehement
               defamations
               of
               our
               faculties
               could
               serve
               ?
               And
               what
               Ends
               of
               a
               P●…rty
               they
               did
               ?
               I
               hope
               these
               things
               you
               have
               pondered
               ,
               as
               you
               ought
               ,
               and
               discern
               the
               
                 consequent
                 mischie●…s
              
               :
               But
               yet
               I
               shall
               beg
               leave
               ●…o
               refresh
               your
               thoughts
               with
               some
               Considerations
               of
               the
               
                 dangerous
                 tendencies
              
               and
               issues
               of
               such
               Preachments
               .
            
             
               (
               1.
               )
               
                 To
                 disclaim
                 Reason
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 Enemy
                 to
                 Religion
                 ,
                 tends
                 to
                 the
                 introduction
                 of
                 Atheism
                 ,
                 Infidelity
                 ,
                 and
                 Scep●…icism
                 ;
                 and
                 hath
                 already
                 brought
                 in
                 a
                 flood
                 of
                 these
                 upon
                 us
                 .
              
               
               For
               what
               advantage
               can
               the
               Atheist
               ,
               and
               Insidel
               expect
               greater
               ,
               than
               this
               ,
               That
               Reason
               is
               against
               Religion
               ?
               What
               do
               they
               pretend
               ?
               What
               can
               they
               
                 propose
                 more
              
               ?
               If
               so
               ,
               there
               will
               be
               
                 no
                 proving
              
               ,
               That
               there
               is
               
                 a
                 God
              
               ;
               or
               ,
               That
               the
               Scripture
               is
               his
               Word
               ;
               and
               then
               we
               believe
               gratis
               ;
               and
               our
               Faith
               hangs
               upon
               humour
               ,
               and
               imagination
               ;
               and
               
                 that
                 Religion
              
               that
               depends
               upon
               a
               warm
               Phansie
               ,
               an
               ungrounded
               belief
               ▪
               stands
               but
               ,
               till
               a
               disease
               ,
               or
               a
               
                 new
                 conceit
              
               alter
               the
               Scenc
               of
               imagination
               ;
               and
               then
               down
               falls
               the
               Castle
               whose
               soundation
               was
               in
               the
               Air.
               'T
               was
               the
               charge
               of
               Julian
               the
               Apostate
               against
               the
               Primitive
               Christians
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 That
                 their
                 wisdom
                 was
                 to
                 believe
              
               ;
               as
               if
               they
               had
               no
               ground
               for
               their
               Faith.
               And
               those
               that
               
               renounce
               ,
               and
               decry
               
                 Reason
                 ,
                 justifie
                 Julian
              
               in
               his
               charge
               .
               Thus
               Religion
               will
               have
               no
               bottom
               ,
               but
               the
               Phansie
               of
               every
               one
               that
               prosesseth
               it
               ;
               and
               how
               various
               ,
               and
               inconstant
               a
               thing
               Imagination
               is
               ,
               every
               man
               knows
               .
               These
               are
               the
               Consequences
               of
               the
               defamations
               of
               Reason
               ,
               on
               the
               pretended
               account
               of
               Religion
               ;
               and
               we
               have
               seen
               ,
               in
               multitudes
               of
               deplorable
               Instances
               ,
               That
               they
               follow
               in
               practice
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               reasoning
               .
               Men
               of
               corrupt
               inclinations
               ,
               suspect
               that
               there
               is
               
                 No
                 Reason
              
               for
               our
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Religion
               ,
               and
               so
               are
               upon
               the
               borders
               of
               quitting
               it
               ;
               And
               the
               Enthusiast
               ,
               that
               pretends
               to
               know
               
                 Religion
                 best
              
               ,
               tells
               them
               ,
               that
               these
               Suspicions
               are
               
                 very
                 true
              
               ;
               and
               thence
               the
               Debauchee
               gladly
               makes
               the
               desperate
               Conclusion
               .
               And
               
               when
               others
               also
               hear
               Reason
               disparaged
               as
               
                 uncertain
                 ,
                 various
              
               ,
               and
               fallacious
               ,
               they
               deny
               all
               credit
               to
               their
               Faculties
               ,
               and
               become
               
                 confounded
                 Scepticks
              
               ,
               that
               settle
               in
               nothing
               .
               This
               I
               take
               to
               have
               been
               one
               of
               the
               greatest
               ,
               and
               most
               deadly
               occasion
               of
               the
               Atheism
               of
               our
               days
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               hath
               rejected
               Reason
               ,
               may
               be
               one
               when
               
                 he
                 pleaseth
              
               ,
               and
               cannot
               reprehend
               ,
               or
               reduce
               any
               one
               ,
               that
               is
               so
               already
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               
                 The
                 Denial
                 of
                 Reason
                 in
                 Religion
                 hath
                 been
                 the
                 principal
                 Engine
                 ,
                 that
                 Hereticks
                 ,
                 and
                 Enthusiasts
                 have
                 used
                 against
                 the
                 Faith
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 lays
                 us
                 open
                 to
                 in●…inite
                 follies
                 ,
                 and
                 impostures
                 .
              
               Thus
               the
               Arrians
               quarrelled
               with
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               because
               it
               was
               deduced
               by
               consequence
               ,
               but
               not
               expressed
               in
               Scripture
               .
               
               The
               Apollinarists
               would
               by
               no
               means
               allow
               of
               Reason
               ;
               And
               St.
               Austin
               saith
               of
               the
               Donatists
               ,
               that
               they
               did
               calumniate
               ,
               and
               de●…ry
               It
               ,
               to
               
                 raise
                 prejudice
                 against
                 the
                 Catholick
                 Faith
              
               ;
               and
               elsewhere
               ,
               
                 Doctores
                 vestri
                 Hominem
                 dialecticum
                 ●…ugiendum
                 potius
                 ,
                 &
                 cavendum
                 ,
                 quàm
                 refellendum
                 censuerunt
                 .
              
               The
               Ubiquitarians
               defend
               their
               Errors
               ,
               by
               denying
               the
               judgment
               of
               Reason
               ;
               and
               the
               Macedonians
               would
               not
               have
               the
               Deity
               of
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 proved
              
               by
               Consequence
               .
               The
               later
               Enthusiasts
               in
               Germany
               ,
               and
               other
               places
               ,
               set
               up
               loud
               ,
               and
               vehement
               out
               crys
               against
               Reason
               ;
               and
               the
               Lunaticks
               among
               us
               ,
               (
               that
               agree
               in
               nothing
               else
               )
               do
               yet
               sweetly
               accord
               in
               opposing
               this
               
                 Carnal
                 Reason
              
               ;
               and
               this
               indeed
               is
               their
               common
               Interest
               .
               The
               impostures
               
               of
               mens
               Phansies
               must
               not
               be
               seen
               in
               
                 too
                 much
              
               light
               ;
               and
               we
               cannot
               dream
               ,
               with
               our
               
                 eyes
                 open
                 .
                 Reason
              
               would
               discover
               the
               nakedness
               of
               
                 Sacred
                 Whimsies
              
               ;
               and
               the
               vanity
               of
               
                 mysterious
                 non-sense
              
               ;
               This
               would
               disparage
               the
               darlings
               of
               the
               brain
               ,
               and
               cool
               the
               pleasant
               heats
               of
               kindled
               Imagination
               :
               And
               therefore
               Reason
               must
               be
               decryed
               ,
               because
               an
               enemy
               to
               madness
               ;
               and
               Phansie
               set
               up
               ,
               under
               the
               Notion
               of
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Inspiration
               .
               Hence
               men
               had
               got
               the
               trick
               ,
               to
               call
               every
               thing
               that
               was
               Consequent
               ,
               and
               
                 Reasonable
                 ,
                 Vain
                 Philosophy
              
               ;
               and
               every
               thing
               that
               was
               
                 Sober
                 ,
                 Carnal
                 Reasoning
                 .
                 Religion
              
               is
               set
               so
               far
               
                 above
                 Reason
              
               ,
               that
               at
               length
               it
               is
               put
               beyond
               Sobriety
               ,
               and
               Sense
               ;
               and
               then
               't
               was
               fit
               to
               be
               believed
               ,
               when
               't
               was
               impossible
               to
               be
               proved
               ,
               or
               
               understood
               .
               The
               way
               to
               be
               a
               Christian
               is
               ●…irst
               to
               be
               a
               Brute
               ;
               and
               to
               be
               a
               
                 true
                 Believer
              
               ,
               in
               
                 this
                 Divinity
              
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               
                 fit
                 ●…or
                 Bedlam
              
               .
               Men
               have
               been
               taught
               to
               
                 put
                 out
              
               their
               eyes
               ,
               that
               they
               
                 might
                 see
              
               ;
               and
               to
               hoodwink
               themselves
               ,
               that
               they
               might
               
                 avoid
                 the
                 Precipices
              
               .
               Thus
               have
               all
               extravagancies
               been
               brought
               into
               Religion
               beyond
               the
               Imaginations
               of
               a
               Fever
               ,
               and
               the
               Conceits
               of
               Midnight
               :
               Whatever
               is
               
                 phancied
                 ,
                 is
                 certain
              
               ;
               and
               whatever
               is
               
                 vehement
                 ,
                 is
                 Sacred
              
               ;
               every
               thing
               must
               be
               believed
               ,
               that
               is
               dream'd
               ;
               and
               every
               thing
               that
               is
               absurd
               ,
               is
               a
               Mystery
               .
               And
               by
               this
               way
               ,
               men
               in
               our
               days
               have
               been
               prepared
               to
               swallow
               every
               thing
               ,
               but
               what
               is
               sober
               :
               whatever
               is
               wild
               ,
               will
               be
               
                 suck'd
                 in
              
               ,
               like
               the
               Air
               ;
               but
               what
               is
               reasonable
               ,
               will
               be
               fled
               like
               infection
               .
               
               So
               that
               if
               a
               man
               would
               recommend
               any
               thing
               ,
               for
               his
               life
               ,
               to
               those
               enemies
               of
               Reason
               ,
               it
               must
               be
               some
               odd
               non-sense
               ,
               in
               the
               cloathing
               of
               Imagination
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               can
               be
               the
               Author
               of
               a
               new
               kind
               of
               madness
               ,
               shall
               
                 lead
                 a
                 Party
              
               .
               Thus
               hath
               Religion
               ,
               by
               the
               disparagement
               of
               Reason
               ,
               been
               made
               a
               medley
               of
               Phantastick
               trash
               ,
               spiritualized
               into
               an
               heap
               of
               vapours
               ,
               and
               formed
               into
               a
               Castle
               of
               Clouds
               ;
               and
               exposed
               to
               every
               wind
               of
               humour
               ,
               and
               Imagination
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               
                 By
                 the
                 same
                 way
                 great
                 advantage
                 is
                 given
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 Rome
                 :
              
               Which
               those
               of
               that
               Profession
               know
               very
               well
               ;
               and
               therefore
               
                 Perronius
                 ,
                 Gonterius
                 ,
                 Arnoldus
                 ,
                 Veronius
                 ,
              
               and
               other
               Jesuits
               ,
               have
               loudly
               declaimed
               against
               Reason
               ;
               and
               the
               last
               mentioned
               ,
               
               Veronius
               ,
               presented
               the
               World
               with
               a
               Method
               to
               overthrow
               Hereticks
               ,
               (
               meaning
               those
               of
               the
               Protestant
               Faith
               )
               which
               promised
               more
               than
               ordinary
               ;
               And
               that
               was
               ,
               to
               deny
               ,
               and
               renounce
               all
               Principles
               of
               Reason
               in
               affairs
               of
               
                 Faith
                 absolutely
              
               ,
               and
               roundly
               ;
               and
               not
               to
               vouchsafe
               an
               Answer
               to
               any
               Argument
               agai●…st
               Transubstantiation
               ,
               or
               any
               other
               Article
               of
               their
               
                 new
                 Faith
              
               ;
               but
               point-blank
               to
               deny
               whatever
               Reason
               saith
               ,
               in
               such
               matters
               .
               And
               he
               a●…irms
               that
               even
               these
               Principles
               of
               Reason
               ,
               viz.
               
                 Non
                 entis
                 non
                 sunt
                 Attributa
                 ;
                 at
                 omne
                 quod
                 est
                 ,
                 quando
                 est
                 ,
                 necesse
                 est
                 esse
              
               ;
               and
               such
               like
               which
               are
               the
               foundations
               of
               all
               reasoning
               ,
               are
               dangerous
               to
               the
               
                 Catholick
                 Faith
              
               ;
               &
               therefore
               not
               to
               be
               heeded
               .
               This
               man
               speaks
               out
               ,
               and
               affirms
               directly
               ,
               
               and
               boldly
               ,
               what
               the
               other
               enemies
               of
               Reason
               imply
               ;
               but
               will
               not
               owne
               .
               This
               is
               a
               Method
               to
               destroy
               Hereticks
               in
               earnest
               ;
               but
               the
               mischief
               is
               ,
               all
               Christians
               ,
               and
               
                 all
                 other
              
               Religions
               ,
               and
               
                 all
                 other
              
               reasonings
               are
               cut
               off
               by
               the
               same
               Sword.
               This
               Book
               ,
               and
               Method
               of
               Veronius
               was
               kindly
               received
               by
               the
               Pope
               ,
               priviledged
               by
               the
               King
               of
               Spain
               ,
               approved
               by
               
                 Cardinals
                 ,
                 Archbishops
                 ,
                 Bishops
              
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               
                 Gallick
                 Clergy
              
               ,
               as
               solid
               ,
               and
               
                 for
                 the
                 advantage
              
               of
               Souls
               ;
               and
               the
               
                 Sorbone
                 Doctors
              
               gave
               it
               their
               approbation
               ,
               and
               recommended
               it
               as
               the
               
                 only
                 way
              
               to
               confute
               Hereticks
               .
               Did
               these
               know
               what
               they
               recommended
               ?
               And
               did
               they
               ,
               think
               we
               ,
               understand
               the
               Interest
               of
               the
               Roman
               Church
               ?
               If
               
                 so
                 ,
                 we
              
               kindly
               serve
               their
               ends
               ,
               and
               promote
               
               their
               Designs
               in
               the
               way
               ,
               which
               they
               account
               best
               ,
               while
               we
               vili●…ie
               ,
               and
               disparage
               Reason
               ?
               If
               This
               be
               renounced
               in
               matters
               of
               Religion
               ,
               with
               what
               face
               can
               we
               use
               it
               against
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               Transubstantiation
               ,
               or
               any
               other
               Points
               of
               the
               
                 Roman
                 Creed
              
               ?
               Would
               it
               not
               be
               blameless
               ,
               and
               irreproveable
               for
               us
               to
               give
               up
               our
               und●…rstandings
               implicitly
               to
               the
               Dictates
               ,
               and
               Declarations
               of
               
                 that
                 Church
              
               ?
               May
               we
               not
               follow
               blindly
               whatever
               the
               
                 Infallible
                 Man
              
               at
               Rome
               ,
               and
               his
               Councils
               ,
               say
               ?
               And
               would
               it
               not
               be
               vain
               self-contradiction
               to
               use
               Arguments
               against
               their
               Decrees
               ,
               though
               they
               are
               never
               so
               unreasonable
               ?
               Or
               to
               alledge
               Consequences
               from
               Scripture
               against
               any
               of
               their
               Articles
               ,
               though
               never
               so
               contrary
               to
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Oracles
              
               ?
               How
               easily
               
               may
               They
               rejoyn
               ,
               when
               we
               dispute
               against
               them
               ;
               You
               argue
               from
               Reason
               ,
               and
               by
               Consequences
               ;
               But
               Reason
               is
               dull
               ,
               and
               carnal
               ,
               and
               an
               enemy
               to
               the
               things
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               be
               heard
               in
               the
               high
               matters
               of
               Religion
               ?
               And
               what
               can
               we
               
                 say
                 next
              
               ,
               if
               we
               consent
               to
               the
               Accusation
               ?
               I
               say
               ,
               by
               this
               way
               ,
               we
               perfectly
               disable
               ,
               or
               grosly
               contradict
               our selves
               in
               most
               of
               our
               Disputes
               against
               the
               Romanists
               :
               And
               we
               are
               very
               d●…ingenuous
               in
               our
               dealings
               ,
               while
               we
               use
               Reason
               against
               them
               ,
               and
               deny
               It
               ,
               when
               't
               is
               urged
               against
               our selves
               by
               another
               sort
               of
               Adversaries
               :
               which
               implies
               ,
               that
               when
               we
               say
               ,
               
                 Reason
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 heard
                 ,
              
               we
               mean
               ,
               'T
               is
               not
               to
               be
               
                 heard
                 against
                 us
              
               ;
               But
               It
               
                 must
                 ,
                 against
              
               the
               Church
               of
               Rome
               ;
               or
               
                 any
                 others
              
               we
               can
               oppugn
               
               by
               It.
               Thus
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               our
               denying
               Reason
               in
               Religion
               is
               either
               very
               humoursom
               ,
               and
               partial
               ;
               or
               ,
               't
               is
               a
               direct
               yielding
               up
               our selves
               to
               our
               enemies
               ,
               and
               
                 doing
                 that
              
               our selves
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               only
               thing
               
                 They
                 desire
              
               ,
               to
               undo
               us
               ,
               and
               to
               promote
               their
               own
               interests
               upon
               our
               Rui●…es
               .
            
             
               And
               thus
               ,
               
                 my
                 Brethren
              
               ,
               I
               have
               represented
               some
               of
               the
               mischiefs
               ,
               that
               arise
               from
               the
               disparagement
               of
               Reason
               ;
               and
               they
               are
               
                 great
                 ones
              
               ,
               and
               big
               of
               many
               others
               ,
               and
               such
               ,
               as
               are
               destructive
               to
               all
               Government
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Interests
               of
               the
               sober
               part
               of
               mankind
               :
               And
               I
               hope
               I
               need
               not
               intreat
               You
               not
               to
               contribute
               to
               the
               promoting
               ,
               and
               continuance
               of
               so
               false
               and
               dangerous
               a
               conceit
               .
               The
               assertion
               of
               
                 this
                 is
                 properly
                 Fanaticism
              
               ;
               and
               all
               that
               
               we
               call
               
                 so
                 ,
                 grows
              
               upon
               it
               .
               Here
               the
               enemies
               of
               our
               Church
               ,
               and
               
                 Government
                 began
              
               ;
               upon
               this
               they
               
                 insisted
                 still
              
               ;
               and
               filled
               their
               Books
               ,
               and
               Pulpits
               ,
               and
               private
               corners
               with
               
                 these
                 Cantings
                 .
                 This
              
               was
               the
               Engine
               to
               overthrow
               all
               sober
               Principles
               ,
               and
               Establishments
               ;
               with
               This
               the
               people
               were
               infatuated
               ,
               and
               credit
               was
               reconciled
               to
               Gibberish
               ,
               and
               
                 Folly
                 ;
                 Enthusiasms
              
               ,
               and
               
                 vain
                 Impulses
                 .
                 This
              
               is
               the
               food
               of
               Conventicles
               to
               this
               day
               ;
               the
               root
               of
               
                 their
                 matter
              
               ,
               and
               the
               burden
               of
               their
               Preachments
               .
               Let
               Reason
               be
               ●…eard
               ,
               and
               tye
               them
               to
               sense
               ,
               and
               most
               of
               their
               Holders-forth
               have
               
                 no
                 more
              
               to
               say
               .
               Their
               spirituality
               ,
               for
               which
               they
               are
               admired
               ,
               is
               
                 besides
                 Reason
              
               ,
               and
               
                 against
                 It
              
               ,
               rather
               than
               above
               it
               ;
               And
               while
               this
               Principle
               of
               the
               enmity
               between
               
               Reason
               ,
               and
               Religion
               stands
               ,
               the
               people
               will
               think
               Them
               the
               more
               Spiritual
               Preachers
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               the
               less
               reasonable
               :
               And
               while
               they
               are
               abused
               by
               such
               a
               belief
               ,
               't
               will
               be
               impossible
               for
               sober
               men
               to
               have
               any
               success
               in
               their
               endeavours
               to
               convince
               them
               .
            
             
               These
               things
               I
               doubt
               not
               but
               you
               dis●…rn
               ,
               and
               know
               ;
               and
               therefore
               I
               add
               no
               more
               ,
               for
               I
               am
               sensible
               to
               whom
               I
               speak
               .
            
             
               But
               ,
               there
               are
               another
               sort
               ,
               and
               those
               Conformists
               too
               ,
               who
               are
               
                 made
                 Divines
              
               by
               the
               Notes
               they
               formerly
               took
               from
               those
               Canters
               against
               Reason
               ;
               To
               such
               ,
               I
               should
               not
               tell
               what
               to
               say
               ,
               They
               will
               whine
               on
               ,
               and
               vent
               their
               Jargon
               ;
               to
               perswade
               them
               to
               speak
               
                 better
                 sense
              
               ,
               is
               to
               desire
               them
               to
               hold
               their
               peace
               ;
               which
               of
               all
               things
               they
               
               hate
               most
               .
               But
               I
               hope
               there
               ar●…
               none
               of
               Those
               here
               ;
               and
               I
               could
               wish
               the
               Government
               would
               take
               special
               care
               of
               them
               ,
               where
               they
               are
               ;
               For
               they
               are
               the
               most
               dangerous
               enemies
               the
               Church
               of
               England
               hath
               ;
               They
               keep
               alive
               the
               Principles
               of
               Phansie
               ,
               and
               Faction
               ,
               which
               otherwise
               would
               go
               out
               of
               themselves
               .
               But
               I
               let
               them
               pass
               ,
               and
               conclude
               with
               a
               short
               Advice
               to
               the
               People
               .
            
             
               I
               HAVE
               in
               the
               foregoing
               Discourse
               shewn
               ,
               with
               all
               the
               plainness
               ,
               and
               perspi●…y
               ,
               that
               I
               could
               ,
               the
               
                 fair
                 agreement
              
               between
               Reason
               ,
               and
               Religion
               ;
               and
               the
               mischiefs
               that
               arise
               from
               the
               opinion
               that
               sets
               them
               at
               odds
               .
               If
               what
               I
               have
               said
               be
               not
               clear
               to
               your
               minds
               ,
               't
               is
               because
               I
               could
               not
               help
               it
               :
               
                 All
                 Subjects
              
               are
               not
               
               c●…pable
               of
               being
               made
               alike
               plain
               to
               
                 all
                 Capacities
              
               ;
               I
               have
               all
               along
               designed
               distinct
               speaking
               ,
               and
               〈◊〉
               (
               as
               much
               as
               I
               could
               )
               avoided
               mixture
               of
               Languages
               ,
               and
               Terms
               of
               Art
               ,
               that
               so
               you
               might
               apprehend
               that
               ,
               in
               which
               I
               take
               you
               to
               be
               much
               concerned
               ,
               though
               I
               chie●…ly
               intended
               the
               Discourse
               for
               my
               
                 Reverend
                 Brethren
              
               the
               Clergie
               ,
               who
               I
               doubt
               not
               apprehend
               it
               fully
               .
            
             
               What
               I
               have
               more
               to
               say
               to
               YOU
               is
               ,
               That
               you
               would
               beware
               of
               
                 those
                 Teachers
              
               that
               rail
               against
               Reason
               ;
               For
               ●…ither
               they
               
                 know
                 not
                 what
                 they
                 say
              
               ;
               or
               have
               
                 a
                 design
                 to
                 a●…use
              
               you
               .
               Inst●…ad
               of
               hearkening
               to
               such
               ,
               endeavour
               to
               be
               informed
               of
               the
               Reason
               of
               your
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Hope
               :
               For
               we
               are
               fallen
               into
               times
               ,
               in
               which
               you
               will
               have
               frequent
               
               occasion
               to
               use
               it
               :
               And
               
                 that
                 Faith
              
               which
               is
               reasonable
               will
               not
               make
               you
               ashamed
               ;
               and
               
                 that
                 Hope
              
               which
               is
               
                 well
                 grounded
              
               will
               not
               disappoint
               you
               ;
               But
               the
               end
               of
               such
               an
               Hope
               ,
               will
               be
               the
               satisfaction
               of
               your
               de●…res
               ,
               in
               the
               day
               of
               your
               expectations
               ;
               And
               the
               end
               of
               such
               a
               Faith
               ,
               the
               Salvation
               of
               your
               Souls
               in
               the
               day
               of
               the
               
                 Lord
                 Jesus
              
               .
               To
               whom
               ,
               with
               God
               the
               Father
               ,
               and
               God
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Ghost
              
               ,
               be
               ascribed
               all
               Glory
               ,
               and
               Adoration
               henceforth
               ,
               and
               for
               ever
               .
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               ADVERTISEMENT
               .
            
             
               I
               
                 Thought
                 once
                 to
                 have
                 annex'd
                 a
                 brief
                 Answer
                 to
                 Mr.
              
               Stubbe
               '
               
                 s
                 late
                 ridiculous
                 Pamphlet
                 ,
                 call'd
                 Campanella
                 reviv'd
                 ;
                 But
                 I
                 have
                 considered
                 ,
                 That
                 part
                 of
                 my
                 former
                 Discourse
                 is
                 a
                 Confutation
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 plausible
                 pretences
                 of
                 that
              
               idle
               
                 Paper
                 ;
                 and
                 every
                 Reader
                 ,
                 for
                 whose
                 good
                 thoughts
                 any
                 one
                 need
                 be
                 concern'd
                 ,
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 answer
                 the
                 other
                 li●…le
                 vain
                 things
                 which
                 those
                 Considerations
                 of
                 mine
                 will
                 not
                 reach
                 :
                 I
                 therefore
                 thought
                 I
                 might
                 save
                 my self
                 the
                 trouble
                 of
              
               particular
               Refl●…ctions
               ;
               
                 and
                 indeed
                 I
                 forbore
              
               prin●…ipally
               for
               this
               
                 reason
                 ,
                 Because
                 〈◊〉
                 not
              
               proper
               
                 to
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 Mr.
              
               Stubbe
               
                 in
                 a
                 Discourse
                 ,
                 which
                 ha●…
                 any
                 relation
                 to
              
               Religion
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               Errata
               .
            
             
               PAg.
               26.
               lin
               .
               3.
               for
               received
               read
               revived
               ,
               p.
               27.
               l.
               ●…
               for
               being
               r.
               Beings
               ,
               p.
               30.
               l.
               4.
               for
               this
               r.
               thus
               ,
               p.
               45.
               l.
               7.
               for
               disquiet
               it
               r.
               disquiet
               ,
               p.
               47.
               l.
               10.
               for
               ●…ncholidor
               .
               m●…lancholico
               .
            
             
               The
               sheets
               towards
               the
               end
               of
               the
               ●…irst
               Discourse
               ,
               and
               those
               of
               the
               second
               ,
               I
               did
               not
               s●…
               till
               they
               were
               publisht
               ,
               and
               therefore
               must
               leave
               
                 those
                 Errata
              
               to
               the
               Readers
               corr●…ctions
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               Books
               Printed
               for
               
                 James
                 Collins
              
               .
            
             
               A
               〈◊〉
               Answ
               to
               Mr.
               
                 Henry
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               the
               Doctor
               of
               W●…wick
               ;
               wherein
               the
               Malignity
               o●…
               his
               T●…mper
               ,
               〈◊〉
               Hypocri●…
               of
               his
               Pr●…
               ,
               the
               〈◊〉
               of
               his
               R●…ports
               ,
               and
               the
               〈◊〉
               o●…
               hi●…
               Arguings
               ,
               and
               Quotations
               ,
               in
               〈◊〉
               An●…ns
               on
               
                 Plus
                 Ultra
              
               ,
               are
               di●…
               .
               By
               
                 〈◊〉
                 .
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
            
             
               Ob●…s
               on
               Mi●…y
               and
               Political
               〈◊〉
               :
               W●…n
               by
               the
               most
               ●…nourable
               George
               Duk●…
               o●…
               
                 Al●…
                 ,
                 ●…l
              
               .
            
             
               
                 Pr●…s
                 M●…
                 ▪
              
               o●…
               the
               univ●…
               Practice
               of
               Physick
               :
               Wri●…
               by
               〈◊〉
               ●…mous
               Doctor
               
                 Br●…ell
                 ,
                 Qu●…
              
               .
            
             
               Th●…
               Christian
               m●…ns
               Victory
               ov●…r
               Death
               .
               A
               S●…
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               of
               the
               mos●…
               Honourable
               George
               D●…
               of
               Al●…
               .
               By
               S●…h
               Lord
               Bishop
               of
               S●…m
               .
               Pr●…d
               and
               published
               by
               the
               Kings
               sp●…
               Comm●…nd
               ,
               Qu●…
               .
            
             
               A
               priv●…
               Con●…nce
               made
               publick
               ,
               between
               a
               ri●…h
               A●…an
               and
               a
               poor
               Country
               Vicar
               ;
               wh●…in
               is
               discoursed
               the
               Obligation
               of
               Oaths
               which
               h●…ve
               been
               imposed
               on
               the
               Subjects
               of
               England
               ,
               with
               other
               ma●…rs
               relating
               to
               the
               present
               state
               of
               Affairs
               ,
               O●…
               .