An enquiry into the nature, necessity, and evidence of Christian faith. Part I. Of faith in general, and of the belief of a deity by J.C.
         Cockburn, John, 1652-1729.
      
       
         
           1696
        
      
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             An enquiry into the nature, necessity, and evidence of Christian faith. Part I. Of faith in general, and of the belief of a deity by J.C.
             Cockburn, John, 1652-1729.
          
           [2], 68 p.
           
             Printed for William Keblewhite,
             London :
             1696.
          
           
             Errata: p. 68.
             Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Faith.
           Providence and government of God.
        
      
    
     
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           AN
           ENQUIRY
           INTO
           THE
           Nature
           ,
           Necessity
           ,
           and
           Evidence
           OF
           
             Christian
             Faith
          
           ,
           In
           Several
           ESSAYS
           .
        
         
           
             PART
             I.
          
           Of
           Faith
           in
           General
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Belief
           of
           a
           Deity
           .
        
         
           By
           
             I.
             C.
          
           D.
           D.
           
        
         
           
             Vigilo
          
           
             Credo
             &
          
           
             Clamo
          
           
             Loquor
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             William
             Keblewhite
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Swan
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           ,
           MDC
           XCVI
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           The
           CONTENTS
           of
           this
           First
           Part.
           
        
         
           
             INtroduction
             ,
             shewing
             the
             Occasion
             and
             Design
             of
             the
             following
             Essays
             ,
             p.
             1.
             
          
        
         
           
             Essay
             I.
             
          
           
             Faith
             is
             and
             hath
             been
             the
             perpetual
             Standard
             of
             Righteousness
             from
             the
             Beginning
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             p.
             6.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Faith
             proper
             to
             Scripture
             and
             required
             under
             the
             Dispensation
             of
             both
             Testaments
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             What
             to
             live
             by
             Faith
             ,
             p.
             7.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             All
             the
             righteous
             upwards
             to
             Adam
             lived
             by
             Faith
             ,
             p.
             8.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             It
             is
             great
             Insolence
             to
             find
             Fault
             with
             the
             Terms
             and
             Phrases
             by
             which
             the
             Principles
             of
             Scripture
             are
             set
             forth
             ,
             p.
             9.
             
          
        
         
           
             Essay
             II.
             
          
           
             Of
             Faith
             as
             opposed
             to
             Doubting
             ,
             p.
             11.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Meaning
             of
             Faith
             ought
             to
             be
             enquired
             after
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Common
             Definitions
             and
             Distinctions
             of
             Faith
             not
             considered
             nor
             any
             new
             Definition
             offered
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Faith
             first
             opposed
             to
             Doubting
             ,
             implies
             a
             firm
             Perswasion
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             which
             is
             essential
             to
             a
             just
             Man
             ,
             p.
             13.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Of
             the
             Influence
             which
             this
             Faith
             has
             upon
             Actions
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             rendring
             them
             Good
             or
             Evil
             ,
             p.
             14.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             This
             Faith
             no
             light
             Perswasion
             ,
             but
             the
             Effect
             of
             serious
             Enquiry
             and
             Deliberation
             ,
             ib.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             It
             is
             the
             first
             Principle
             of
             a
             good
             Life
             ,
             p.
             16.
             
          
        
         
           
             Essay
             III.
             
          
           
             Of
             Faith
             as
             opposed
             to
             Atheism
             ,
             and
             how
             a
             Belief
             of
             the
             Existence
             of
             God
             is
             necessary
             to
             determine
             the
             certain
             Rule
             of
             Moral
             Actions
             ,
             p.
             17.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Faith
             is
             a
             Belief
             of
             God
             and
             his
             Attributes
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Necessity
             of
             this
             Belief
             for
             knowing
             the
             first
             and
             great
             Rule
             of
             Moral
             Actions
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Righteousness
             according
             to
             Scripture
             ,
             is
             to
             act
             with
             a
             continual
             regard
             to
             God
             ,
             p.
             18.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             These
             Divines
             are
             very
             censurable
             ,
             who
             recommend
             Morality
             upon
             other
             Principles
             more
             and
             oftner
             than
             this
             ,
             p.
             19.
             
          
        
         
           
             Essay
             IV.
             
          
           
             The
             Existence
             of
             God
             is
             most
             evident
             ,
             p.
             21.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             It
             doth
             not
             require
             Learning
             or
             great
             Travel
             to
             know
             that
             there
             is
             a
             God
             ,
             p.
             22.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Some
             Truths
             more
             obvious
             than
             Mathematical
             Demonstrations
             ,
             and
             it
             may
             be
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             Existence
             of
             a
             Deity
             is
             more
             evident
             than
             the
             Propositions
             of
             
               Euclid
               ,
               p.
            
             23.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Whether
             there
             be
             real
             Atheists
             .
             The
             Causes
             of
             Atheism
             considered
             ,
             p.
             24.
             
             First
             Cause
             of
             Atheism
             ,
             Vitiousness
             ,
             p.
             25.
             
             A
             Second
             Cause
             of
             Atheism
             ,
             the
             being
             rebuted
             by
             Difficulties
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             
             A
             Third
             Cause
             of
             Atheism
             ,
             want
             of
             Consideration
             ,
             p.
             26.
             
          
        
         
           
             Essay
             V.
             
          
           
             Evidences
             of
             a
             Deity
             in
             Man
             ,
             p.
             27.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Outward
             Figure
             of
             Man's
             Body
             considered
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Inward
             Frame
             ,
             p.
             28.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Life
             and
             Sense
             ,
             with
             the
             Organs
             of
             them
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             Internal
             ,
             and
             Intellectual
             Faculties
             ,
             p.
             32.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             The
             Method
             of
             nourishing
             the
             Body
             .
             p.
             33.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             The
             Manner
             of
             its
             Generation
             ,
             p.
             34.
             
          
           
             7.
             
             Of
             the
             useful
             Dependance
             of
             some
             outward
             Members
             upon
             our
             Will
             ,
             and
             how
             readily
             they
             answer
             our
             thoughts
             ,
             p.
             38.
             
          
        
         
           
             Essay
             VI.
             
          
           
             Evidences
             of
             a
             Deity
             in
             other
             Parts
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             p.
             37.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             All
             other
             things
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Man
             ,
             prove
             that
             there
             is
             a
             God.
             It
             is
             evident
             ,
             That
             Man
             and
             all
             other
             things
             had
             one
             Author
             or
             Cause
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Contrivance
             and
             Design
             in
             in
             every
             thing
             ,
             in
             the
             Celestial
             Orbs
             ,
             p.
             38.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             In
             Vegetables
             and
             Animals
             ,
             p.
             39.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             Locusts
             and
             Caterpillars
             considered
             ,
             p.
             40.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             The
             Disorders
             and
             Irregularities
             occasioned
             by
             Man
             no
             Reproach
             to
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             ,
             p.
             41.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             It
             is
             unreasonable
             to
             ask
             more
             Evidence
             for
             the
             Existence
             of
             God
             ,
             than
             what
             we
             have
             ,
             p.
             43.
             
          
           
             7.
             
             God's
             Eternity
             obvious
             .
             His
             Omnipotency
             appears
             in
             the
             Immensity
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             p.
             44.
             
          
           
             8.
             
             His
             Wisdom
             and
             Power
             in
             the
             very
             Disposal
             of
             meer
             Matter
             ,
             or
             the
             several
             kinds
             of
             Earth
             .
             p.
             45.
             
          
           
             9.
             
             In
             the
             Variety
             and
             Virtue
             of
             Plants
             ,
             p.
             46.
             
          
           
             10.
             
             In
             the
             Diversity
             of
             Animals
             ,
             p.
             50.
             
          
           
             11.
             
             It
             is
             impossible
             to
             convince
             them
             who
             resist
             these
             Evidences
             ,
             p.
             52.
             
          
        
         
           
             Essay
             VII
             .
          
           
             Of
             the
             Absurdity
             of
             Atheism
             ,
             p.
             53.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Two
             sorts
             of
             Demonstration
             .
             A
             Deity
             demonstrable
             by
             both
             of
             them
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Existence
             of
             God
             proved
             by
             the
             First
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             Objections
             of
             Atheists
             do
             strengthen
             the
             Belief
             of
             a
             God.
             The
             First
             Objection
             stated
             ,
             p.
             54.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             Answer
             to
             it
             ,
             p.
             55.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             A
             Second
             Objection
             ,
             p.
             59.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             The
             Answer
             ,
             p.
             60.
             
          
           
             7
             A
             Third
             Objection
             ,
             p.
             62.
             
          
           
             8.
             
             The
             Answer
             ,
             p.
             63.
             
          
           
             9.
             
             A
             Fourth
             Objection
             ,
             with
             the
             Answer
             ,
             p.
             64.
             
          
           
             10.
             
             A
             Deity
             proved
             by
             the
             other
             kind
             of
             Demonstration
             ,
             
               ex
               absurdo
               ,
               p.
            
             65.
             
          
           
             The
             Conclusion
             ,
             p.
             68.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           AN
           ENQUIRY
           INTO
           THE
           Nature
           ,
           Necessity
           ,
           and
           Evidence
           OF
           Christian
           Faith.
           
        
         
           
             INTRODUCTION
             .
          
           
             Shewing
             the
             Occasion
             and
             Design
             of
             the
             following
             Essays
             .
          
           
             AS
             certainly
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             has
             the
             fairest
             appearance
             of
             any
             ,
             and
             comes
             to
             us
             with
             all
             the
             marks
             of
             Truth
             ,
             being
             stampt
             with
             Characters
             truly
             Divine
             ,
             and
             carrying
             along
             with
             it
             Authentick
             Testimonies
             ,
             both
             from
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ;
             so
             they
             who
             had
             the
             keeping
             of
             it
             ,
             have
             ,
             for
             near
             these
             1700
             Years
             ,
             taught
             that
             Faith
             was
             a
             very
             considerable
             part
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             absolutely
             Necessary
             to
             the
             obtaining
             all
             those
             Advantages
             which
             are
             promised
             by
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             there
             are
             a
             Set
             of
             Men
             who
             pretend
             new
             Discoveries
             :
             They
             decry
             Faith
             as
             much
             as
             it
             was
             formerly
             
             magnified
             ,
             and
             turn
             the
             things
             proposed
             to
             be
             believed
             into
             ridicule
             .
             Some
             of
             them
             run
             down
             Faith
             ,
             by
             exposing
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             who
             require
             it
             ,
             as
             ignorant
             and
             Foolish
             ,
             a
             sort
             of
             Men
             who
             are
             easily
             imposed
             upon
             ,
             or
             who
             ,
             to
             keep
             up
             their
             Trade
             ,
             study
             to
             impose
             on
             others
             ,
             amusing
             them
             with
             
               mysterious
               Nonsense
            
             .
             Others
             essay
             to
             prove
             ,
             That
             Faith
             is
             impossible
             where
             Reason
             rules
             and
             is
             used
             ;
             and
             therefore
             that
             Believing
             proceeds
             from
             a
             Defect
             of
             Reason
             ,
             and
             consequently
             unworthy
             of
             those
             who
             own
             themselves
             to
             be
             Men
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             reasonable
             Creatures
             .
             A
             Third
             sort
             examine
             the
             several
             Points
             of
             Faith
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             set
             forth
             in
             Systems
             and
             Confessions
             ,
             and
             do
             either
             dwindle
             them
             away
             into
             nothing
             ,
             or
             render
             them
             very
             absurd
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             impossible
             or
             no
             ways
             worthy
             to
             be
             believed
             .
             This
             Controversie
             is
             of
             the
             highest
             Importance
             :
             all
             ought
             to
             be
             inquisitive
             into
             it
             ,
             and
             earnest
             to
             know
             on
             what
             Side
             Truth
             lies
             ,
             not
             to
             satisfie
             an
             idle
             Curiosity
             ,
             but
             to
             discover
             the
             certain
             and
             solid
             foundation
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             any
             such
             thing
             ,
             on
             which
             they
             may
             build
             their
             Peace
             and
             Comfort
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             the
             
               present
               life
            
             ,
             and
             joyful
             hopes
             in
             reference
             to
             that
             which
             may
             be
             hereafter
             .
          
           
             Upon
             this
             account
             I
             resolved
             on
             this
             Enquiry
             ,
             and
             to
             proceed
             in
             it
             with
             all
             the
             care
             that
             becomes
             a
             Lover
             of
             Truth
             ,
             in
             matters
             of
             so
             very
             great
             moment
             ,
             who
             ought
             not
             to
             suffer
             himself
             to
             be
             byass'd
             by
             his
             former
             Sentiments
             ,
             nor
             to
             be
             carried
             off
             by
             the
             Censures
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             nor
             to
             be
             possessed
             with
             a
             fondness
             for
             Opinions
             ,
             meerly
             because
             they
             are
             New
             or
             Old
             ,
             Singular
             or
             Common
             .
          
           
             My
             first
             aim
             was
             to
             satisfie
             my self
             ;
             and
             now
             I
             propose
             the
             giving
             true
             information
             to
             others
             ,
             and
             for
             that
             end
             shall
             lay
             all
             things
             candidly
             before
             them
             ,
             imposing
             as
             little
             on
             them
             ,
             as
             on
             my self
             ,
             who
             am
             not
             willing
             to
             be
             deceived
             .
             And
             I
             am
             confident
             that
             he
             ,
             who
             is
             attentive
             and
             willing
             to
             be
             informed
             ,
             shall
             receive
             plain
             and
             full
             Conviction
             .
          
           
             To
             try
             this
             Matter
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             find
             it
             proper
             to
             appeal
             to
             the
             Universal
             Doctrin
             ,
             either
             of
             the
             Present
             ,
             or
             Primitive
             
             Church
             .
             The
             Fathers
             may
             be
             thought
             as
             partial
             and
             incompetent
             Judges
             as
             the
             Modern
             Divines
             .
             Authorities
             have
             no
             weight
             with
             the
             Patrons
             of
             Incredulity
             ,
             they
             laugh
             at
             this
             Method
             ,
             and
             judge
             it
             as
             unreasonable
             ,
             as
             if
             one
             would
             consult
             old
             Bigotted
             Aristotelians
             about
             the
             
               New
               Philosophy
            
             .
             I
             know
             their
             regard
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             is
             much
             the
             same
             as
             what
             they
             have
             to
             other
             Books
             :
             They
             read
             and
             examine
             it
             with
             the
             same
             boldness
             and
             freedom
             ,
             and
             very
             often
             with
             less
             Modesty
             than
             human
             Writings
             :
             because
             its
             Assertions
             are
             plain
             ,
             and
             otherwise
             unanswerable
             ;
             therefore
             ,
             to
             shelter
             themselves
             ,
             and
             to
             defend
             their
             Opinions
             ,
             they
             disown
             its
             Authority
             ,
             and
             cry
             it
             down
             as
             a
             Book
             which
             is
             not
             implicitly
             to
             be
             believed
             more
             than
             others
             .
             Hence
             it
             is
             that
             some
             attack
             the
             Authentickness
             and
             Purity
             of
             the
             Text
             ;
             others
             ,
             the
             Integrity
             and
             Inspiration
             of
             the
             Pen-men
             :
             and
             all
             of
             them
             endeavour
             ,
             one
             way
             or
             other
             ,
             to
             remove
             the
             only
             sure
             Light
             we
             have
             to
             direct
             our
             Course
             .
             So
             they
             would
             reason
             us
             into
             a
             fearful
             and
             troublesom
             uncertainty
             :
             and
             they
             make
             our
             condition
             as
             deplorable
             as
             Persons
             at
             Sea
             in
             a
             dark
             tempestuous
             Night
             ,
             without
             Waggoner
             ,
             Compass
             ,
             or
             Pilot.
             
          
           
             I
             intend
             not
             to
             prove
             the
             
               Divine
               Authority
            
             of
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             admirably
             well
             done
             by
             several
             ,
             both
             in
             this
             ,
             and
             former
             Ages
             :
             I
             take
             this
             for
             granted
             .
             But
             if
             this
             be
             too
             great
             a
             Postulatum
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             sufficient
             for
             my
             business
             to
             suppose
             it
             in
             the
             first
             rank
             of
             Books
             ,
             which
             it
             may
             claim
             ,
             both
             by
             reason
             of
             its
             Antiquity
             ,
             and
             the
             things
             contained
             in
             it
             .
             The
             Authors
             of
             this
             Holy
             Book
             merit
             Reverence
             and
             Esteem
             ,
             at
             least
             as
             much
             as
             
               Plato
               ,
               Aristotle
               ,
               Seneca
               ,
               Epictetus
               ,
               Confutius
            
             of
             China
             ,
             and
             other
             Ancients
             ,
             whose
             Sentiments
             the
             World
             is
             curious
             to
             know
             ,
             and
             which
             Learned
             Men
             have
             been
             employed
             to
             Collect
             ,
             as
             useful
             to
             Mankind
             .
             Nay
             ,
             I
             am
             willing
             at
             present
             even
             to
             pass
             this
             too
             .
             I
             ask
             only
             (
             which
             cannot
             be
             Justly
             denied
             )
             a
             due
             Attention
             to
             what
             is
             said
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             an
             impartial
             and
             unbyass'd
             consideration
             of
             the
             excellency
             and
             reasonableness
             of
             what
             it
             proposes
             ;
             
             for
             then
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             that
             the
             
               Doctrine
               of
               Christianity
            
             will
             appear
             divine
             ,
             and
             true
             ,
             and
             
               worthy
               of
               all
               acceptation
            
             :
             for
             it
             shines
             with
             Evidence
             ,
             as
             the
             Light
             which
             proves
             and
             manifests
             it self
             to
             every
             one
             that
             is
             not
             
               blind
               .
               If
               our
               Gospel
            
             (
             saith
             St.
             
               Paul
               )
               be
               hid
               ,
               it
               is
               hid
               to
               them
               that
               are
               lost
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             The
             finest
             Picture
             doth
             not
             look
             well
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             set
             in
             a
             proper
             Light.
             Nor
             doth
             the
             Gospel
             appear
             reasonable
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             not
             duly
             represented
             .
             All
             the
             Cavils
             and
             Objections
             ,
             that
             are
             made
             against
             it
             ,
             proceed
             from
             a
             wrong
             view
             of
             it
             ;
             represent
             it
             fairly
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             agreeable
             :
             Its
             Imperfections
             are
             Beauties
             and
             admirable
             Contrivances
             :
             its
             Foolishness
             is
             the
             highest
             Wisdom
             :
             its
             seeming
             Absurdities
             and
             Contradictions
             ,
             upon
             Examination
             ,
             are
             most
             rational
             and
             perfectly
             consistent
             :
             its
             Faith
             is
             Conviction
             and
             Demonstration
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             it
             is
             every
             way
             faithful
             and
             true
             ,
             and
             
               worthy
               to
               be
               received
            
             by
             the
             wisest
             and
             most
             perfect
             Men
             ,
             as
             I
             hope
             to
             make
             appear
             by
             these
             Essays
             ,
             and
             what
             are
             to
             follow
             hereafter
             ,
             which
             I
             desire
             may
             be
             read
             with
             Attention
             and
             Candour
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             Method
             in
             which
             it
             is
             written
             :
             for
             Divine
             Truths
             are
             in
             this
             like
             the
             Propositions
             of
             Euclid
             .
             There
             is
             a
             dependency
             amongst
             them
             ,
             the
             first
             must
             be
             received
             before
             the
             rest
             can
             be
             admitted
             ;
             but
             tho'
             what
             is
             Prior
             in
             order
             of
             Nature
             ought
             to
             be
             first
             considered
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             that
             the
             same
             is
             not
             so
             fully
             comprehended
             ,
             as
             when
             what
             follows
             is
             known
             and
             understood
             .
             Thus
             the
             Existence
             of
             a
             Deity
             is
             to
             be
             proved
             before
             a
             Providence
             ,
             and
             yet
             the
             Proofs
             of
             a
             Providence
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             view
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             we
             may
             have
             by
             Reason
             and
             Revelation
             ,
             doth
             not
             only
             mightily
             confirm
             us
             in
             the
             Belief
             of
             a
             God
             ,
             but
             also
             very
             much
             enlarge
             our
             Idea
             of
             him
             :
             What
             may
             be
             known
             by
             Nature
             and
             Reason
             ,
             should
             be
             proposed
             before
             the
             Discoveries
             of
             Revelation
             ;
             and
             yet
             the
             Light
             of
             Revelation
             doth
             give
             clearer
             Convictions
             of
             the
             former
             ,
             and
             doth
             render
             intelligible
             ,
             what
             before
             could
             not
             indeed
             be
             denied
             ;
             but
             yet
             was
             not
             well
             understood
             .
             Nature
             and
             Reason
             may
             be
             compared
             to
             the
             dawnings
             
             of
             the
             Morning
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             to
             be
             despised
             ;
             but
             the
             Discoveries
             of
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             resemble
             the
             Light
             of
             the
             Sun
             when
             it
             is
             mounted
             the
             Horizon
             ,
             which
             is
             full
             and
             sufficient
             for
             all
             that
             is
             necessary
             to
             our
             present
             State.
             
          
           
             We
             should
             have
             begun
             at
             that
             Faith
             which
             is
             peculiar
             to
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             so
             spared
             our
             labour
             in
             proving
             a
             Deity
             and
             Providence
             ,
             if
             the
             present
             growth
             of
             Atheism
             had
             not
             made
             it
             necessary
             to
             establish
             these
             first
             .
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             these
             Subjects
             have
             of
             late
             been
             excellently
             well-handled
             ,
             to
             which
             we
             might
             have
             referred
             ;
             but
             that
             would
             have
             been
             to
             build
             upon
             another
             Man's
             foundation
             .
             All
             must
             acknowledge
             ,
             that
             these
             Subjects
             are
             of
             great
             importance
             ,
             and
             therefore
             what
             we
             offer
             about
             them
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             kindly
             received
             both
             by
             those
             who
             doubt
             ,
             and
             those
             who
             believe
             ;
             that
             the
             one
             may
             be
             confirmed
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             satisfied
             ,
             in
             Matters
             that
             so
             nearly
             concern
             them
             .
             I
             would
             not
             be
             thought
             to
             despise
             some
             Proofs
             and
             Arguments
             which
             I
             have
             not
             used
             :
             Our
             Essays
             would
             have
             run
             out
             into
             vast
             Volumes
             ,
             if
             we
             had
             amassed
             all
             that
             might
             have
             been
             said
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             have
             only
             made
             choice
             of
             such
             things
             as
             either
             have
             been
             least
             considered
             by
             others
             ,
             or
             which
             may
             be
             of
             most
             common
             use
             .
             We
             do
             not
             write
             for
             the
             Instruction
             of
             those
             who
             have
             been
             bred
             in
             Universities
             ,
             and
             therefore
             have
             purposely
             waved
             what
             could
             not
             be
             understood
             without
             Metaphysical
             Notions
             ,
             and
             the
             abstruse
             part
             of
             Learning
             .
          
           
             We
             have
             digested
             our
             Enquiries
             about
             Faith
             into
             
               three
               Parts
            
             ,
             of
             which
             the
             present
             Essays
             make
             the
             First
             :
             And
             we
             have
             been
             advised
             to
             Publish
             them
             separately
             ,
             to
             encourage
             the
             Reading
             of
             them
             :
             For
             ,
             tho'
             those
             who
             have
             most
             need
             of
             Information
             ,
             have
             also
             generally
             most
             leisure
             to
             Read
             ;
             yet
             it
             is
             well
             known
             that
             they
             are
             also
             least
             willing
             to
             undertake
             the
             Reading
             of
             what
             requires
             many
             Hours
             and
             much
             Attention
             .
             Bulky
             Books
             fright
             them
             ,
             and
             they
             throw
             them
             by
             ,
             as
             too
             great
             Interruptions
             to
             their
             Diversions
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             of
             their
             Occupations
             are
             nothing
             else
             .
             But
             if
             such
             will
             not
             be
             at
             the
             
             pains
             to
             read
             a
             few
             Sheets
             ,
             they
             betray
             their
             Aversion
             to
             these
             Truths
             ,
             and
             do
             in
             vain
             pretend
             to
             excuse
             their
             Infidelity
             ,
             by
             want
             of
             true
             Conviction
             .
          
           
             The
             
               Second
               Part
            
             is
             wholly
             taken
             up
             about
             Providence
             ,
             which
             is
             too
             copious
             a
             Subject
             to
             be
             exhausted
             by
             any
             ;
             but
             without
             the
             hazard
             of
             being
             vain
             or
             immodest
             ,
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             at
             least
             some
             things
             suggested
             ,
             which
             may
             both
             perswade
             the
             belief
             of
             a
             Providence
             ,
             and
             also
             satisfie
             mens
             Minds
             in
             some
             measure
             about
             the
             Strange
             and
             Wonderful
             Dispensations
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             ,
             not
             being
             commonly
             handled
             ,
             we
             have
             the
             more
             largely
             insisted
             on
             .
             In
             the
             
               Third
               and
               last
               Part
            
             ,
             shall
             be
             considered
             that
             Faith
             which
             is
             founded
             upon
             Revelation
             ;
             which
             also
             we
             shall
             indeavour
             to
             set
             in
             its
             true
             Light.
             Both
             these
             Parts
             shall
             follow
             very
             soon
             ,
             if
             it
             please
             God
             to
             assist
             us
             ;
             and
             I
             heartily
             wish
             ,
             that
             all
             of
             them
             may
             prove
             Useful
             to
             the
             design
             proposed
             ,
             by
             helping
             to
             clear
             those
             Truths
             which
             are
             of
             the
             greatest
             Importance
             .
          
           
             
               ESSAY
               I.
               
            
             
               Faith
               is
               ,
               and
               hath
               been
               ,
               the
               Perpetual
               Standard
               of
               Righteousness
               from
               the
               beginning
               of
               the
               World.
               
            
             
               1.
               
               AS
               all
               Authors
               (
               whether
               Historians
               or
               Philosophers
               )
               have
               their
               
                 peculiar
                 Phrases
              
               and
               way
               of
               Speaking
               ,
               so
               Faith
               is
               a
               word
               and
               term
               proper
               to
               
                 Sacred
                 Scripture
              
               .
               It
               never
               occurs
               to
               us
               in
               the
               reading
               of
               any
               of
               the
               Heathen
               Moralists
               ,
               in
               
                 that
                 sense
              
               in
               which
               we
               meet
               with
               it
               almost
               in
               every
               leaf
               of
               the
               Holy
               Bible
               .
               St.
               Paul
               as
               agreeable
               to
               the
               other
               Apostles
               ,
               he
               discourses
               often
               ,
               and
               very
               much
               of
               Faith
               ;
               so
               ,
               in
               three
               several
               Epistles
               ,
               he
               asserts
               ,
               that
               the
               
                 Iust
                 shall
                 live
                 by
                 Faith
              
               :
               and
               in
               one
               of
               them
               ,
               he
               Prefaces
               it
               with
               an
               
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 written
              
               ,
               testifying
               by
               this
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               no
               New
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               but
               what
               
               was
               taught
               by
               the
               Law
               and
               the
               Prophets
               .
               And
               accordingly
               we
               find
               the
               same
               very
               words
               in
               the
               Prophet
               Habakkuk
               ,
               Chap.
               2.
               4.
               whence
               we
               may
               conclude
               ,
               that
               this
               is
               a
               
                 Scripture
                 Maxim
              
               ,
               of
               certain
               and
               perpetual
               Verity
               ,
               under
               every
               Dispensation
               ,
               as
               well
               the
               former
               as
               the
               present
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               By
               the
               Iust
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               understood
               the
               Good
               ,
               Holy
               ,
               and
               Righteous
               ;
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               Wicked
               and
               Ungodly
               .
               And
               
                 to
                 live
              
               ,
               comprehends
               and
               must
               be
               extended
               to
               ,
               the
               whole
               tract
               and
               course
               of
               their
               Life
               and
               Conversation
               ;
               for
               to
               restrain
               it
               to
               
                 any
                 single
              
               ,
               or
               
                 individual
                 act
              
               ,
               which
               hath
               not
               an
               Universal
               Influence
               upon
               the
               whole
               Man
               and
               all
               its
               Motions
               ,
               is
               to
               make
               the
               Scripture
               and
               Inspirer
               of
               it
               ,
               speak
               very
               improperly
               .
               He
               is
               not
               said
               to
               Live
               in
               a
               place
               ,
               who
               Lodgeth
               there
               a
               Night
               or
               two
               ;
               but
               who
               has
               his
               constant
               Residence
               and
               Abode
               in
               it
               .
               Nor
               can
               he
               be
               said
               properly
               to
               live
               by
               any
               Art
               or
               Science
               ,
               who
               now
               and
               then
               perhaps
               diverteth
               himself
               with
               it
               ;
               but
               only
               he
               who
               makes
               it
               his
               profession
               ,
               aim
               ,
               and
               study
               ,
               who
               constantly
               exerciseth
               it
               ,
               and
               subsisteth
               by
               it
               .
               So
               when
               it
               is
               said
               that
               the
               
                 Iust
                 live
                 by
                 Faith
              
               ,
               the
               meaning
               is
               ,
               and
               must
               be
               ,
               that
               they
               always
               walk
               by
               Faith
               ;
               they
               order
               and
               frame
               their
               whole
               Life
               and
               Conversation
               according
               to
               it
               .
               It
               is
               the
               Principle
               by
               which
               they
               are
               actuated
               ,
               and
               which
               produceth
               all
               that
               they
               do
               .
               As
               the
               Soul
               and
               Spirit
               give
               Life
               to
               the
               Body
               ,
               excite
               ,
               direct
               ,
               and
               determine
               the
               Actions
               of
               the
               whole
               Man
               ,
               so
               Faith
               is
               the
               Soul
               ,
               Life
               and
               Spirit
               of
               a
               Just
               or
               Righteous
               Man
               ,
               the
               first
               and
               great
               Principles
               of
               his
               Motions
               ,
               the
               chief
               Rule
               and
               Director
               of
               his
               Actions
               ,
               that
               which
               quickens
               his
               Hopes
               ,
               awakens
               his
               Fears
               ,
               excites
               and
               curbs
               his
               Passion
               ,
               and
               which
               pusheth
               him
               forward
               to
               all
               that
               is
               suitable
               to
               his
               Rank
               ,
               Quality
               ,
               and
               other
               Circumstances
               in
               which
               he
               stands
               .
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               to
               
                 live
                 by
                 Faith
              
               ,
               must
               be
               to
               think
               ,
               speak
               ,
               and
               act
               by
               it
               ,
               for
               Life
               comprehends
               all
               this
               .
               And
               he
               who
               doth
               thus
               
                 live
                 by
                 Faith
              
               ,
               is
               truly
               Just
               ,
               Good
               ,
               Holy
               ,
               and
               Righteous
               .
               For
               if
               it
               be
               true
               that
               the
               
                 Iust
                 do
                 live
                 by
              
               Faith
               ,
               it
               is
               also
               true
               that
               
                 they
                 who
                 live
              
               by
               
               Faith
               are
               Iust.
               As
               Knowledge
               and
               Wisdom
               render
               a
               Man
               learned
               and
               wise
               ,
               so
               Faith
               makes
               one
               Iust
               and
               Righteous
               :
               and
               this
               Righteousness
               encreaseth
               according
               to
               the
               proportion
               of
               our
               Faith
               ;
               for
               there
               are
               degrees
               of
               Faith
               as
               of
               Life
               ;
               there
               are
               weaker
               and
               stronger
               ,
               imperfect
               and
               perfect
               in
               both
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Now
               that
               it
               is
               not
               peculiar
               to
               the
               state
               of
               the
               Gospel
               for
               the
               Iust
               to
               
                 live
                 by
                 Faith
              
               ,
               but
               that
               they
               did
               so
               ,
               under
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               before
               it
               ,
               doth
               further
               appear
               from
               what
               the
               Apostle
               writes
               in
               the
               
                 Eleventh
                 Chapter
              
               of
               the
               Epistle
               to
               the
               Hebrews
               ,
               where
               ,
               by
               a
               long
               enumeration
               of
               particular
               instances
               ,
               he
               proves
               that
               all
               the
               Righteous
               ,
               even
               up
               to
               Abel
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               ever
               since
               the
               Fall
               ,
               did
               walk
               by
               Faith
               ;
               and
               that
               Faith
               was
               the
               source
               and
               spring
               of
               both
               their
               Common
               ,
               and
               Extraordinary
               Actions
               .
               And
               he
               might
               have
               ascended
               higher
               ,
               and
               shewed
               ,
               that
               even
               in
               the
               state
               of
               Innocence
               ,
               Faith
               was
               appointed
               the
               Life
               and
               Soul
               of
               Righteousness
               :
               for
               that
               Command
               which
               was
               given
               to
               our
               first
               Parents
               ,
               about
               the
               
                 Tree
                 of
                 Knowledge
              
               ,
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               the
               Garden
               ,
               was
               to
               exercise
               their
               Faith
               ,
               as
               their
               Transgression
               was
               a
               failure
               of
               Faith
               as
               well
               as
               of
               Obedience
               .
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               in
               the
               Epistle
               to
               the
               Galatians
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               first
               Part
               of
               that
               to
               the
               Romans
               ,
               pursues
               the
               same
               Truth
               against
               the
               Bigotted
               Jews
               and
               Judaizing
               Christians
               .
               For
               to
               convince
               them
               of
               their
               Error
               ,
               in
               expecting
               to
               be
               Iustified
               by
               the
               Law
               of
               Moses
               ,
               He
               shews
               clearly
               ,
               that
               ,
               before
               the
               Law
               was
               in
               being
               ,
               Men
               were
               accounted
               Iust
               and
               Righteous
               before
               God
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               their
               Faith
               ,
               and
               therefore
               that
               Faith
               was
               the
               permanent
               and
               perpetual
               Standard
               or
               Rule
               both
               for
               measuring
               Mens
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               for
               obtaining
               their
               Iustification
               .
               Because
               Abraham
               was
               an
               eminent
               Example
               of
               Faith
               ,
               therefore
               he
               was
               not
               only
               
                 reputed
                 Righteous
              
               ,
               but
               had
               the
               peculiar
               honour
               to
               be
               called
               the
               
                 Friend
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Father
                 of
                 the
                 Faithful
              
               ,
               in
               all
               succeeding
               Generations
               .
               And
               all
               who
               believe
               ,
               and
               live
               by
               Faith
               ,
               are
               stiled
               the
               Children
               of
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               Heirs
               of
               his
               Honour
               and
               Privileges
               .
               Upon
               which
               account
               they
               are
               also
               named
               the
               Children
               of
               God
               ,
               
               the
               
                 holy
                 Seed
              
               ,
               the
               
                 righteous
                 Generation
              
               ,
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               Sons
               of
               Belial
               ,
               the
               Wicked
               and
               Reprobate
               ,
               who
               are
               branded
               with
               the
               Character
               of
               
                 Vnbelievers
                 ,
                 Children
              
               of
               
                 Vnbelief
                 ,
                 Persons
              
               without
               Faith
               ,
               as
               the
               Original
               bears
               ,
               which
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
            
             
               Much
               more
               might
               be
               said
               on
               this
               Head
               ,
               but
               it
               sufficiently
               appears
               from
               what
               hath
               been
               said
               ,
               that
               according
               to
               the
               peculiar
               Dialect
               ,
               both
               of
               the
               Old
               and
               
                 New
                 Testament
                 ,
                 Faith
              
               and
               
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Believing
              
               and
               
                 to
                 be
                 Iust
              
               ,
               or
               to
               
                 live
                 righteously
              
               ,
               are
               used
               indifferently
               ,
               as
               
                 reciprocal
                 Phrases
              
               ,
               which
               import
               or
               inferr
               one
               another
               .
               And
               the
               reason
               of
               this
               Dialect
               is
               ,
               because
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Philosophy
               of
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               that
               which
               goes
               under
               the
               Name
               of
               Faith
               ,
               is
               the
               first
               Principle
               which
               actuates
               a
               a
               good
               or
               just
               Man
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               Goodness
               or
               Righteousness
               ,
               which
               is
               acceptable
               to
               God
               ,
               is
               only
               the
               Effects
               or
               Expressions
               of
               that
               Faith
               ,
               which
               naturally
               and
               inseparably
               follow
               it
               ,
               as
               the
               Light
               doth
               the
               Sun.
               
            
             
               Now
               ,
               before
               I
               proceed
               further
               ,
               it
               is
               fit
               to
               make
               a
               little
               Pause
               ;
               and
               it
               may
               be
               convenient
               to
               represent
               here
               the
               Obligation
               which
               lieth
               upon
               all
               ,
               who
               own
               the
               Authority
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               to
               entertain
               those
               Phrases
               and
               Expressions
               ,
               with
               respect
               and
               reverence
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               They
               ought
               to
               esteem
               them
               not
               only
               Sacred
               ,
               but
               Exact
               and
               Just
               ,
               and
               the
               fittest
               to
               convey
               true
               Notions
               into
               our
               Minds
               .
               A
               Wise
               Man
               can
               express
               his
               own
               Thoughts
               best
               .
               And
               sure
               none
               can
               be
               supposed
               more
               qualified
               to
               know
               the
               most
               apposite
               words
               for
               expressing
               Truth
               ,
               than
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Truth
               ,
               or
               they
               who
               are
               inspired
               by
               it
               .
               They
               ,
               who
               recede
               from
               the
               Phrases
               of
               any
               Author
               ,
               do
               also
               generally
               differ
               from
               his
               Sentiments
               ,
               and
               give
               others
               occasion
               to
               mistake
               them
               :
               For
               the
               peculiar
               and
               repeated
               Phrases
               ,
               which
               one
               has
               used
               constantly
               ,
               do
               give
               the
               greatest
               Light
               to
               the
               Discovery
               of
               his
               Thoughts
               :
               For
               ,
               if
               he
               had
               not
               perceived
               or
               fansied
               some
               Propriety
               in
               those
               Phrases
               ,
               for
               representing
               what
               he
               would
               be
               at
               ,
               he
               would
               not
               have
               been
               so
               fond
               of
               them
               ,
               nor
               would
               he
               so
               constantly
               have
               used
               them
               ,
               even
               
               as
               an
               exact
               and
               skilful
               Painter
               ,
               observeth
               carefully
               ,
               both
               the
               Strokes
               and
               Mixtures
               ,
               which
               are
               fittest
               to
               shadow
               out
               the
               Colours
               and
               Figures
               he
               would
               represent
               .
               But
               even
               abstracting
               from
               the
               Divine
               Authority
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               the
               peculiar
               Inspiration
               of
               the
               Pen-men
               ,
               it
               is
               very
               great
               Immodesty
               to
               offer
               to
               correct
               and
               amend
               their
               Expressions
               ;
               as
               if
               any
               now
               a-days
               could
               express
               their
               Thoughts
               ,
               Notions
               and
               Sentiments
               better
               ,
               than
               they
               themselves
               were
               capable
               to
               do
               ,
               especially
               on
               Subjects
               with
               which
               they
               were
               well
               acquainted
               ,
               and
               which
               they
               knew
               better
               than
               other
               Men
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               their
               Profound
               Meditation
               ,
               the
               Purity
               of
               their
               Minds
               ,
               and
               the
               Integrity
               of
               their
               Lives
               :
               These
               very
               things
               (
               if
               divine
               and
               immediate
               Inspiration
               will
               not
               be
               allowed
               them
               )
               could
               qualifie
               them
               to
               teach
               the
               Nature
               and
               Acts
               of
               a
               Holy
               Life
               ,
               or
               true
               Righteousness
               far
               better
               than
               others
               .
               All
               the
               Heathen
               Philosophers
               came
               short
               of
               their
               Perfection
               ,
               and
               therefore
               are
               not
               so
               good
               Masters
               of
               Morality
               :
               for
               
                 Moral
                 Truths
              
               are
               not
               like
               
                 Mathematical
                 ones
              
               ,
               to
               be
               learned
               by
               Reading
               and
               Study
               :
               The
               Knowledge
               of
               those
               comes
               best
               ,
               nay
               ,
               can
               only
               be
               had
               by
               serious
               and
               continued
               Practice
               .
               A
               good
               Man
               Unlearned
               ,
               has
               a
               deeper
               sense
               of
               Christian
               Morality
               ,
               and
               can
               discourse
               more
               lively
               and
               reasonably
               of
               it
               ,
               than
               the
               greatest
               Scholar
               ,
               who
               has
               only
               the
               Theory
               .
               And
               there
               be
               some
               Expressions
               which
               seem
               mean
               and
               silly
               to
               the
               last
               ,
               which
               the
               other
               feels
               to
               be
               just
               and
               Emphatick
               ;
               as
               what
               that
               Man
               esteems
               lofty
               and
               Sublime
               ,
               this
               Man
               Undervalues
               ;
               for
               the
               one
               knows
               and
               thoroughly
               understands
               the
               Subject
               he
               speaks
               of
               ,
               which
               the
               other
               does
               not
               .
               To
               return
               ,
               all
               the
               Disciples
               of
               any
               Sect
               ,
               reverence
               the
               Authors
               and
               Founders
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               love
               to
               speak
               in
               their
               Language
               ,
               and
               according
               to
               their
               Dialect
               .
               An
               Aristotelian
               will
               huff
               ,
               and
               grow
               very
               angry
               ,
               if
               the
               Cant
               of
               his
               Schools
               be
               mocked
               ;
               and
               the
               well-bred
               Cartesian
               will
               not
               be
               much
               more
               calm
               and
               easie
               ,
               when
               the
               Terms
               and
               Principles
               of
               his
               Philosophy
               are
               played
               upon
               .
               Now
               ought
               not
               Christians
               to
               be
               much
               more
               tender
               of
               
               the
               Divine
               Phrases
               which
               the
               Prophets
               and
               Apostles
               have
               used
               to
               set
               forth
               the
               Secret
               and
               Sublime
               Principles
               of
               that
               Life
               ,
               which
               renders
               us
               acceptable
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               makes
               us
               to
               be
               reputed
               Righteous
               in
               his
               sight
               ?
               Which
               Phrases
               were
               neither
               blindly
               hit
               upon
               ,
               nor
               affected
               to
               amuse
               ,
               but
               wisely
               chosen
               as
               most
               proper
               ;
               because
               both
               clear
               and
               comprehensive
               .
               Therefore
               to
               mock
               Faith
               ,
               and
               to
               turn
               Believing
               into
               Ridicule
               ,
               to
               explode
               the
               Phrase
               ,
               and
               pretend
               to
               give
               better
               ,
               is
               insufferable
               Insolence
               ,
               and
               a
               high
               Affront
               to
               the
               Apostles
               ,
               and
               Prophets
               ,
               and
               that
               Spirit
               which
               did
               inspire
               them
               .
               Christians
               ought
               to
               resent
               this
               :
               to
               bear
               with
               it
               is
               not
               Meekness
               ;
               but
               want
               of
               Zeal
               and
               Courage
               ;
               it
               is
               a
               lazy
               treachery
               ,
               as
               when
               one
               beholds
               the
               Rights
               of
               his
               Country
               or
               Society
               invaded
               and
               betrayed
               ,
               and
               yet
               holds
               his
               Peace
               .
               It
               does
               not
               become
               the
               Children
               of
               the
               Family
               to
               assume
               the
               Liberty
               ,
               or
               rather
               licentiousness
               of
               Enemies
               and
               Aliens
               ,
               and
               if
               the
               Wantonness
               of
               their
               Humour
               prompt
               them
               to
               it
               ,
               it
               is
               their
               Duty
               who
               have
               the
               Charge
               of
               the
               Family
               ,
               to
               Chastise
               them
               into
               better
               Manners
               .
            
          
           
             
               ESSAY
               II.
               
            
             
               Of
               Faith
               as
               Opposed
               to
               Doubting
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               WHatever
               regard
               be
               due
               to
               Words
               and
               Phrases
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               greater
               due
               to
               the
               sense
               and
               meaning
               of
               them
               .
               Men
               are
               no
               better
               than
               Parrots
               ,
               if
               they
               utter
               words
               and
               do
               not
               understand
               them
               .
               The
               next
               thing
               therefore
               to
               be
               considered
               is
               ,
               what
               is
               
                 this
                 Faith
              
               which
               the
               Just
               should
               live
               by
               ,
               which
               is
               so
               much
               magnified
               and
               spoken
               of
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               is
               now
               ,
               and
               which
               is
               said
               always
               to
               have
               been
               the
               Principle
               of
               a
               holy
               and
               spiritual
               Life
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               In
               order
               to
               this
               ,
               I
               resolve
               not
               either
               to
               consider
               the
               Definitions
               of
               others
               ,
               or
               to
               give
               a
               
                 New
                 one
              
               of
               my
               
               own
               ,
               the
               
                 common
                 Definitions
              
               of
               Faith
               would
               hamper
               me
               too
               much
               :
               If
               I
               were
               tied
               to
               them
               ,
               I
               could
               not
               have
               the
               freedom
               of
               my
               design
               ,
               which
               is
               ,
               to
               make
               a
               clear
               ,
               full
               ,
               and
               ample
               Description
               of
               Faith.
               This
               is
               not
               to
               cast
               a
               slight
               upon
               any
               of
               the
               received
               Definitions
               ;
               which
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               placed
               in
               the
               
                 common
                 Catechisms
              
               ,
               do
               serve
               well
               enough
               to
               point
               out
               some
               of
               the
               special
               and
               chief
               Acts
               of
               Faith
               ,
               but
               which
               yet
               are
               not
               sufficient
               to
               give
               a
               full
               or
               clear
               Idea
               of
               it
               .
               Nor
               will
               I
               attempt
               to
               amend
               them
               ,
               or
               to
               establish
               a
               better
               one
               ;
               for
               it
               is
               not
               easie
               to
               make
               a
               good
               Definition
               of
               such
               a
               very
               comprehensive
               thing
               as
               Faith
               is
               :
               nor
               is
               such
               a
               thing
               well
               understood
               by
               any
               Definition
               ,
               as
               by
               taking
               a
               particular
               and
               separate
               view
               of
               those
               things
               which
               it
               comprehends
               .
               It
               is
               but
               a
               very
               confused
               Notion
               of
               
                 Grammer
                 ,
                 Logick
              
               ,
               or
               any
               other
               Science
               which
               Youth
               have
               by
               the
               Definitions
               which
               are
               first
               taught
               them
               ;
               they
               then
               only
               rightly
               understand
               the
               Nature
               and
               Use
               of
               these
               Sciences
               ,
               when
               they
               have
               gone
               through
               them
               .
            
             
               And
               as
               I
               am
               not
               to
               trouble
               my self
               with
               the
               
                 common
                 Definitions
              
               ,
               so
               neither
               will
               I
               intangle
               my self
               ,
               or
               the
               Reader
               ,
               with
               the
               
                 ordinary
                 Distinctions
              
               of
               Faith
               ;
               such
               as
               
                 Temporary
                 Faith
              
               ,
               an
               
                 Historical
                 Faith
              
               ,
               a
               
                 Faith
                 of
                 Miracles
              
               ,
               &c.
               
               For
               tho'
               there
               be
               something
               in
               Scripture
               which
               gives
               occasion
               to
               these
               Names
               and
               Distinctions
               ,
               yet
               the
               consideration
               of
               them
               would
               give
               little
               light
               to
               our
               Enquiry
               ,
               for
               they
               suppose
               the
               Knowledge
               of
               Faith
               which
               we
               enquire
               after
               ,
               and
               are
               designed
               to
               mark
               out
               some
               certain
               degrees
               of
               Faith
               ,
               rather
               than
               to
               instruct
               the
               Nature
               of
               it
               ,
               which
               we
               mainly
               aim
               at
               .
               For
               my
               purpose
               is
               ,
               by
               the
               light
               and
               guidance
               of
               Scripture
               alone
               ,
               to
               search
               out
               this
               Faith
               ,
               which
               is
               necessary
               to
               entitle
               one
               to
               be
               Just
               and
               Righteous
               before
               God
               ,
               and
               upon
               which
               account
               it
               must
               be
               that
               St.
               Paul
               saith
               ,
               
                 without
                 Faith
                 it
                 is
                 impossible
                 to
                 please
                 him
                 ,
              
               Heb.
               ii
               .
               6.
               
               And
               to
               prevent
               all
               dangerous
               Errour
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               not
               mistake
               one
               sort
               of
               Faith
               for
               another
               ,
               a
               Faith
               which
               cannot
               ,
               or
               doth
               not
               render
               Just
               ,
               for
               one
               that
               doth
               ,
               we
               shall
               have
               still
               in
               our
               Eye
               this
               necessary
               Relation
               betwixt
               Faith
               and
               Righteousness
               .
            
             
             
               3.
               
               To
               proceed
               then
               ,
               In
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               I
               find
               Faith
               taken
               in
               opposition
               to
               Doubting
               :
               So
               it
               is
               taken
               ,
               Rom.
               14.
               and
               in
               several
               other
               places
               .
               And
               in
               this
               sense
               Faith
               is
               much
               the
               same
               with
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               is
               an
               
                 inward
                 Conviction
                 or
                 Perswasion
                 of
                 Mind
              
               concerning
               what
               is
               true
               or
               false
               ,
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               lawful
               and
               unlawful
               .
               Which
               Perswasion
               or
               inward
               Conviction
               ,
               is
               the
               first
               Rule
               or
               Standard
               by
               which
               one
               's
               Integrity
               and
               Uprightness
               is
               to
               be
               measured
               ;
               and
               therefore
               it
               is
               as
               necessary
               for
               the
               Just
               to
               live
               by
               this
               Faith
               ,
               as
               for
               a
               Square
               to
               have
               four
               equal
               sides
               :
               both
               Texts
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               the
               Nature
               of
               the
               thing
               require
               it
               .
               The
               true
               and
               primitive
               Character
               of
               a
               Just
               Man
               is
               to
               be
               Conscientious
               ,
               to
               follow
               the
               Dictates
               of
               his
               Mind
               ,
               and
               to
               order
               his
               Life
               and
               Actions
               according
               to
               what
               he
               knows
               and
               believes
               to
               be
               right
               .
               A
               Just
               Man
               must
               be
               Upright
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               no
               Uprightness
               if
               the
               outward
               and
               inward-man
               do
               not
               keep
               touches
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               no
               Correspondence
               betwixt
               them
               ,
               if
               the
               Mouth
               contradict
               the
               Heart
               ,
               and
               the
               Life
               and
               Actions
               be
               disagreeable
               to
               the
               inward
               Light
               and
               Sentiments
               .
            
             
               This
               Faith
               is
               as
               the
               Eye
               by
               which
               we
               see
               and
               know
               how
               to
               order
               our
               Steps
               ;
               it
               is
               as
               the
               Light
               to
               shew
               the
               Way
               in
               which
               we
               should
               walk
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               follow
               it
               ,
               or
               to
               go
               contrary
               to
               it
               ,
               is
               great
               Perverseness
               ,
               and
               the
               Character
               of
               a
               Wicked
               Man.
               As
               the
               Spirit
               is
               the
               Principle
               of
               Life
               ,
               and
               Life
               of
               Motion
               ;
               so
               this
               Faith
               is
               the
               first
               Principle
               of
               a
               good
               Life
               ,
               and
               Men
               are
               to
               be
               reckoned
               good
               or
               bad
               as
               they
               walk
               according
               to
               it
               :
               He
               is
               a
               bad
               Man
               who
               contradicts
               it
               ,
               and
               he
               is
               no
               good
               Man
               whose
               Actions
               do
               not
               flow
               from
               it
               .
               The
               Motions
               of
               a
               Puppet
               or
               Engine
               may
               be
               both
               Regular
               and
               Useful
               ,
               but
               they
               cannot
               be
               reckoned
               Natural
               ;
               because
               they
               proceed
               not
               from
               a
               Principle
               of
               Life
               ,
               but
               from
               Artificial
               Springs
               .
               So
               tho'
               one's
               Actions
               be
               never
               so
               plausible
               ,
               fair
               or
               useful
               to
               others
               ,
               yet
               they
               are
               not
               good
               ;
               nor
               is
               he
               ,
               who
               doth
               them
               Just
               ,
               if
               they
               proceed
               from
               any
               other
               principle
               than
               this
               Faith
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               an
               inward
               Perswasion
               of
               their
               being
               just
               and
               good
               ,
               lawful
               and
               reasonable
               ,
               
                 for
                 whatsoever
                 is
                 not
                 of
                 Faith
              
               (
               saith
               the
               
               Apostle
               )
               
                 is
                 sin
              
               ,
               Rom.
               14.
               23.
               
               Hence
               it
               is
               that
               we
               see
               some
               in
               Scripture
               branded
               with
               the
               Character
               of
               ill
               Men
               ,
               and
               others
               denied
               the
               Approbation
               of
               being
               good
               ,
               whose
               Actions
               were
               outwardly
               good
               and
               commendable
               ,
               because
               they
               did
               what
               they
               did
               ,
               for
               other
               Reasons
               ,
               and
               upon
               another
               account
               ,
               than
               the
               intrinsick
               goodness
               of
               those
               things
               ,
               or
               their
               own
               Perswasion
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               All
               the
               Actions
               of
               every
               one
               are
               to
               be
               Approved
               or
               Condemned
               ,
               with
               a
               regard
               to
               this
               Faith
               ,
               and
               by
               vertue
               of
               it
               ,
               things
               ,
               in
               themselves
               good
               and
               lawful
               ,
               become
               evil
               ,
               and
               what
               is
               evil
               loseth
               a
               part
               of
               its
               malignity
               .
               Thus
               the
               
                 Eating
                 of
                 Flesh
              
               ,
               which
               in
               it self
               is
               a
               lawful
               and
               innocent
               Action
               ,
               is
               a
               damnable
               Sin
               to
               him
               who
               has
               the
               least
               doubt
               whether
               it
               be
               lawful
               ;
               and
               what
               is
               clean
               turns
               unclean
               to
               him
               who
               thinks
               it
               so
               ,
               as
               is
               excellently
               discoursed
               in
               that
               fore-cited
               Chapter
               .
               So
               on
               the
               other
               hand
               ,
               we
               find
               God
               himself
               excusing
               Abimelech
               for
               taking
               Sarah
               into
               his
               House
               ,
               because
               
                 he
                 did
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 integrity
                 of
                 his
                 heart
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               was
               ignorant
               of
               her
               being
               another
               Man's
               Wife
               .
               And
               St.
               
               Paul's
               Perfection
               of
               the
               Saints
               was
               the
               more
               pardonable
               ,
               because
               he
               verily
               thought
               he
               ought
               to
               do
               many
               things
               against
               the
               Name
               of
               Jesus
               :
               
                 I
                 was
                 before
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 a
                 blasphemer
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 persecutor
                 ,
                 and
                 injurious
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 obtained
                 mercy
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 did
                 it
                 ignorantly
                 in
                 unbelief
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               without
               Faith
               ,
               or
               the
               perswasion
               of
               the
               evil
               of
               it
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               13.
               
            
             
               But
               then
               it
               is
               to
               be
               remembred
               ,
               That
               this
               Faith
               which
               hath
               such
               Influence
               upon
               our
               Actions
               ,
               and
               which
               is
               so
               Essential
               to
               a
               Just
               Man
               ,
               is
               not
               Fancy
               or
               Imagination
               ,
               nor
               a
               light
               or
               hasty
               Perswasion
               .
               
                 Let
                 every
                 man
                 be
                 fully
                 perswaded
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 mind
                 ,
              
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               ver
               .
               5.
               and
               therefore
               our
               Faith
               and
               Perswasion
               ought
               to
               be
               well-grounded
               ,
               the
               effect
               of
               serious
               Enquiry
               and
               Deliberation
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               give
               true
               and
               certain
               Direction
               ,
               otherwise
               it
               may
               be
               still
               said
               that
               we
               are
               regardless
               of
               Right
               and
               Wrong
               ,
               Truth
               or
               Falshood
               ,
               Good
               and
               Evil
               ,
               which
               is
               inconsistent
               with
               the
               Character
               of
               a
               perfectly
               Just
               Man.
               A
               wise
               Architect
               doth
               not
               work
               at
               random
               ,
               but
               
               by
               Plumb
               and
               Rule
               ;
               but
               then
               he
               is
               first
               careful
               that
               his
               Plumb
               and
               Rule
               be
               right
               and
               exact
               ;
               for
               without
               this
               ,
               he
               cannot
               sincerely
               intend
               to
               have
               his
               work
               perfect
               .
               So
               a
               Just
               man
               carefully
               studieth
               both
               a
               Conformity
               betwixt
               his
               Actions
               and
               his
               inward
               Sentiments
               ,
               and
               betwixt
               these
               and
               truth
               ,
               and
               the
               stable
               Rule
               of
               Right
               and
               wrong
               ,
               Good
               and
               Evil.
               To
               act
               contrary
               to
               inward
               Conviction
               is
               to
               offend
               wilfully
               ,
               and
               the
               height
               of
               Wickedness
               ;
               but
               it
               is
               the
               next
               degree
               to
               it
               to
               be
               careless
               whether
               we
               offend
               or
               not
               ,
               whether
               we
               do
               Good
               or
               Evil
               ,
               which
               we
               are
               guilty
               of
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               not
               at
               any
               pains
               to
               adjust
               our
               Perswasion
               to
               Truth
               ,
               to
               know
               the
               right
               ,
               or
               to
               inform
               our selves
               of
               what
               is
               good
               ,
               lawful
               ,
               and
               fit
               to
               be
               done
               .
               The
               same
               reason
               which
               makes
               it
               Just
               ,
               and
               our
               Duty
               to
               act
               according
               to
               our
               Knowledge
               ,
               and
               inward
               Perswasion
               ,
               or
               to
               do
               the
               Good
               we
               know
               ,
               obligeth
               us
               to
               search
               out
               the
               real
               Good
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               there
               may
               be
               no
               Errour
               in
               our
               Perswasion
               ,
               nor
               Crookedness
               in
               our
               Practice
               ;
               and
               then
               only
               our
               Thoughts
               can
               justifie
               our
               Actions
               ,
               when
               ,
               by
               Diligence
               and
               due
               Care
               ,
               we
               have
               endeavoured
               to
               make
               our
               Thoughts
               just
               and
               true
               ,
               conform
               to
               the
               Nature
               of
               things
               ;
               for
               without
               this
               ,
               we
               cannot
               be
               
                 fully
                 perswaded
                 in
                 our
                 Minds
              
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               enjoineth
               ;
               the
               assurance
               of
               Faith
               is
               wanting
               ,
               which
               is
               necessary
               to
               dispel
               all
               doubts
               ,
               and
               to
               establish
               our
               goings
               .
               
                 Happy
                 is
                 he
              
               (
               saith
               St.
               
                 Paul
                 )
                 that
                 condemneth
                 not
                 himself
                 in
                 that
                 thing
                 which
                 he
                 alloweth
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               14.
               22.
               by
               which
               he
               gives
               us
               to
               understand
               ,
               that
               our
               Heart
               must
               approve
               our
               Actions
               ;
               our
               Minds
               must
               Judge
               ,
               that
               the
               ways
               we
               take
               are
               right
               ,
               otherwise
               we
               stand
               Self-condemned
               .
               Now
               the
               Judgment
               is
               not
               Just
               which
               is
               not
               certain
               ,
               which
               is
               rashly
               or
               hastily
               pronounced
               ,
               before
               a
               strict
               Examination
               ,
               or
               a
               due
               Attention
               to
               all
               the
               Proofs
               and
               Evidences
               which
               can
               be
               brought
               for
               clearing
               the
               Cause
               .
               There
               is
               still
               place
               for
               Doubting
               ,
               when
               necessary
               Caution
               and
               the
               proper
               Means
               have
               not
               been
               used
               for
               right
               and
               sufficient
               Information
               .
               And
               as
               Doubting
               defileth
               the
               Man
               ,
               and
               polluteth
               all
               his
               Actions
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               uneasie
               to
               the
               
               Mind
               :
               As
               Darkness
               ,
               in
               which
               when
               one
               walketh
               ,
               it
               maketh
               him
               Apprehensive
               ,
               full
               of
               Fears
               and
               Jealousies
               ,
               going
               forwards
               and
               backwards
               ,
               to
               the
               right
               and
               left
               ,
               without
               any
               steady
               course
               ;
               because
               he
               has
               no
               certainty
               of
               his
               way
               .
               What
               is
               translated
               a
               
                 Double-minded
                 Man
              
               ,
               ought
               to
               be
               a
               
                 Doubtful
                 Man
              
               ,
               one
               that
               has
               not
               the
               assurance
               of
               Faith
               ;
               and
               such
               an
               one
               (
               saith
               St.
               
                 Iames
                 )
                 is
                 unstable
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 ways
                 ,
                 he
                 wavereth
                 like
                 a
                 wave
                 of
                 the
                 Sea
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 driven
                 with
                 the
                 wind
                 and
                 tossed
                 ,
              
               Jam.
               1.
               6
               ,
               8.
               
               Fleeting
               and
               Inconstancy
               ,
               change
               of
               Opinions
               and
               Practices
               ,
               regarding
               Events
               and
               outward
               Advantages
               ,
               is
               at
               least
               a
               sure
               sign
               and
               evidence
               that
               the
               Person
               has
               not
               attained
               to
               a
               true
               Faith
               ,
               or
               full
               Perswasion
               of
               his
               Duty
               ,
               of
               what
               is
               good
               ,
               lawful
               ,
               or
               necessary
               ;
               for
               Faith
               gives
               a
               chearful
               confidence
               ,
               it
               makes
               one
               constant
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               always
               the
               same
               ;
               because
               Truth
               and
               the
               Nature
               of
               things
               change
               not
               .
            
             
               To
               conclude
               this
               Matter
               ;
               By
               Faith
               here
               we
               are
               to
               understand
               a
               true
               Knowledge
               of
               the
               Nature
               of
               things
               ,
               a
               clear
               Conviction
               of
               Truth
               ,
               and
               a
               hearty
               full
               Perswasion
               of
               Good
               and
               Evil
               ,
               Lawful
               and
               Unlawful
               ,
               which
               every
               one
               should
               endeavour
               after
               as
               much
               as
               possible
               :
               And
               also
               every
               one
               ought
               to
               live
               answerably
               to
               the
               measure
               which
               he
               hath
               attained
               of
               it
               .
               Who
               doth
               thus
               ,
               so
               far
               he
               is
               to
               be
               reckoned
               Good
               and
               Just
               ;
               for
               he
               hath
               no
               Perverseness
               in
               his
               temper
               ,
               no
               crooked
               Byass
               in
               his
               Constitution
               ,
               but
               sheweth
               an
               Integrity
               of
               Mind
               without
               guile
               or
               hypocrisie
               ,
               and
               a
               regular
               Will
               ,
               which
               offers
               no
               Prejudice
               ,
               but
               which
               renders
               to
               every
               person
               and
               thing
               what
               is
               due
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               Righteousness
               begins
               here
               :
               A
               tendency
               towards
               this
               Faith
               is
               the
               first
               Symptom
               and
               Appearance
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               Motion
               ,
               of
               a
               Just
               and
               Good
               Life
               ,
               which
               like
               the
               Natural
               ,
               upon
               its
               first
               Production
               ,
               may
               be
               weak
               and
               languid
               ;
               but
               which
               ,
               like
               it
               too
               ,
               groweth
               if
               it
               be
               not
               stifled
               :
               and
               as
               it
               groweth
               ,
               so
               it
               acquireth
               strength
               and
               vigour
               ,
               until
               it
               arrive
               at
               Perfection
               .
               The
               first
               moments
               of
               the
               Morning
               are
               hardly
               distinguished
               from
               
               black
               Night
               ;
               but
               it
               creepeth
               on
               insensibly
               ,
               until
               the
               whole
               Hemisphere
               be
               enlightened
               .
               So
               
                 the
                 Paths
                 of
                 the
                 just
              
               (
               saith
               
                 Solomon
                 )
                 are
                 as
                 the
                 shining
                 light
                 ,
                 which
                 shineth
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 until
                 the
                 perfect
                 day
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               4.
               18.
               
            
          
           
             
               ESSAY
               III.
               
            
             
               Of
               Faith
               as
               opposed
               to
               Atheism
               ,
               and
               how
               a
               belief
               of
               the
               Existence
               of
               God
               ,
               is
               necessary
               to
               Determine
               the
               certain
               Rule
               of
               Moral
               Actions
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               TO
               go
               on
               with
               Faith
               ,
               which
               in
               the
               Second
               place
               is
               opposed
               to
               Atheism
               ,
               and
               so
               it
               is
               a
               
                 firm
                 Belief
                 of
                 the
                 existence
                 of
                 a
                 Deity
                 ,
              
               a
               certain
               ,
               full
               ,
               and
               clear
               Perswasion
               that
               God
               is
               ,
               and
               a
               sense
               of
               those
               Attributes
               which
               are
               necessarily
               included
               in
               the
               true
               Idea
               of
               God.
               He
               (
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               )
               
                 who
                 cometh
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 must
                 believe
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 Rewarder
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 diligently
                 seek
                 him
                 ,
              
               Heb.
               4.
               6.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Faith
               ,
               spoken
               of
               in
               the
               former
               Essay
               ,
               obligeth
               to
               enquire
               after
               this
               ;
               and
               this
               we
               are
               now
               upon
               ,
               enforceth
               the
               reasonableness
               and
               necessity
               of
               that
               ;
               such
               is
               the
               relation
               betwixt
               them
               ,
               and
               so
               mutually
               do
               they
               support
               one
               another
               .
               Not
               to
               
                 Criticize
                 Grammatically
              
               upon
               the
               words
               [
               
                 Lawful
                 ,
                 and
                 Vnlawful
              
               ]
               which
               suppose
               a
               Superiour
               ,
               even
               Good
               and
               Evil
               depend
               much
               ,
               if
               not
               altogether
               ,
               upon
               the
               Knowledge
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               are
               to
               be
               measured
               by
               a
               Relation
               to
               him
               :
               the
               Nature
               of
               these
               will
               be
               found
               to
               vary
               very
               much
               ,
               according
               as
               the
               Existence
               or
               Non-existence
               of
               a
               Deity
               is
               established
               .
               If
               Man
               have
               no
               Superiour
               ,
               none
               to
               reward
               or
               punish
               his
               Actions
               ,
               then
               I
               suppose
               the
               Government
               of
               himself
               is
               Arbitrary
               ,
               as
               the
               chusing
               Employments
               is
               now
               thought
               to
               be
               ;
               his
               chief
               business
               is
               to
               please
               himself
               ;
               and
               consequently
               ,
               Good
               and
               Evil
               are
               only
               to
               be
               considered
               with
               relation
               to
               one's
               
               self
               and
               his
               present
               Interest
               ;
               which
               shall
               make
               as
               many
               different
               notions
               of
               Good
               and
               Evil
               ,
               as
               there
               are
               different
               Humours
               ,
               Inclinations
               ,
               and
               Interests
               among
               Men.
               Good
               and
               Evil
               shall
               in
               that
               case
               have
               no
               certain
               Standard
               by
               which
               to
               be
               measured
               ,
               but
               shall
               be
               of
               as
               mutable
               a
               Nature
               ,
               as
               Honesty
               and
               Dishonesty
               in
               a
               divided
               Common-wealth
               ,
               where
               the
               same
               thing
               is
               both
               Honesty
               and
               Knavery
               ,
               in
               the
               Judgment
               of
               the
               different
               Parties
               ,
               and
               where
               the
               same
               Person
               shall
               be
               both
               reputed
               a
               Hero
               and
               a
               Villain
               .
               Then
               no
               act
               can
               leave
               a
               guilt
               ,
               and
               better
               or
               worse
               ,
               well
               or
               ill
               done
               is
               to
               be
               measured
               by
               the
               Event
               and
               Success
               .
               And
               tho'
               Moral
               Laws
               can
               be
               shewed
               to
               have
               a
               Foundation
               in
               Nature
               ,
               yet
               the
               transgression
               of
               them
               ,
               for
               a
               particular
               Pleasure
               or
               Conveniency
               ,
               will
               be
               thought
               no
               more
               culpable
               than
               to
               level
               a
               Mountain
               ,
               to
               cut
               the
               course
               of
               a
               River
               ;
               to
               force
               Water
               to
               ascend
               ,
               and
               such
               like
               ,
               which
               seem
               to
               be
               equal
               Violences
               to
               Nature
               ;
               so
               that
               he
               who
               has
               a
               Liberty
               to
               do
               the
               one
               ,
               may
               also
               do
               the
               other
               .
            
             
               But
               the
               case
               is
               quite
               altered
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               a
               God
               ,
               for
               then
               we
               are
               no
               more
               at
               our
               own
               disposal
               than
               Servants
               :
               He
               who
               made
               us
               ,
               has
               an
               absolute
               dominion
               over
               us
               ;
               and
               all
               our
               care
               ought
               to
               be
               to
               please
               him
               :
               His
               Will
               is
               a
               Law
               ,
               and
               the
               perpetual
               Standard
               of
               Good
               and
               Evil.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               However
               it
               is
               certain
               ,
               that
               ,
               (
               according
               to
               Scripture
               )
               none
               are
               reckoned
               Just
               or
               Righteous
               ,
               but
               such
               as
               act
               with
               a
               continued
               regard
               to
               God
               ,
               which
               sometimes
               is
               expressed
               by
               the
               
                 fear
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               sometimes
               by
               
                 walking
                 with
                 him
              
               ,
               or
               
                 before
                 him
              
               ,
               and
               having
               the
               
                 heart
                 perfect
                 or
                 upright
                 with
                 God.
              
               When
               Hezekiah
               pleaded
               his
               Integrity
               ,
               it
               was
               in
               these
               words
               ,
               
                 Remember
                 ,
                 Lord
                 ,
                 how
                 I
                 have
                 walked
                 before
                 thee
                 with
                 a
                 perfect
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 done
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 good
                 in
                 thy
                 sight
                 .
              
               Upon
               this
               account
               ,
               
                 Enoch
                 ,
                 Noah
                 ,
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 Lot
                 ,
                 Ioseph
                 ,
                 Ioshua
                 ,
                 Iob
                 ,
              
               and
               all
               the
               other
               Worthies
               in
               Scripture
               are
               put
               into
               the
               Catalogue
               of
               the
               Just.
               And
               granting
               that
               there
               is
               a
               God
               ,
               it
               will
               necessarily
               follow
               that
               he
               only
               is
               a
               Just
               Man
               ,
               who
               sets
               God
               before
               him
               ,
               who
               makes
               him
               the
               end
               and
               measure
               of
               his
               Actions
               ,
               and
               
               the
               very
               design
               of
               whose
               Life
               is
               to
               please
               God
               :
               Nor
               can
               there
               be
               a
               more
               proper
               Character
               of
               an
               Unjust
               Man
               ,
               than
               that
               by
               which
               the
               Wicked
               and
               Ungodly
               are
               described
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               Viz.
               
                 They
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 before
                 their
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 without
                 God
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               they
               have
               no
               consideration
               of
               him
               ,
               nor
               regard
               unto
               him
               .
               He
               is
               not
               Just
               who
               doth
               not
               render
               to
               every
               Man
               what
               is
               due
               .
               If
               one
               keep
               squares
               with
               others
               never
               so
               well
               ,
               if
               he
               deal
               never
               so
               fairly
               with
               them
               ,
               yet
               if
               he
               ,
               at
               the
               same
               time
               ,
               be
               untowardly
               ,
               or
               undutiful
               to
               his
               Parents
               ,
               he
               cannot
               properly
               be
               called
               Just.
               So
               let
               one
               possess
               all
               that
               is
               called
               Vertue
               towards
               Men
               ,
               yet
               if
               God
               have
               not
               due
               Acknowledgment
               from
               him
               ,
               that
               Man
               is
               neither
               Just
               nor
               Righteous
               .
               Nay
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               not
               a
               good
               and
               faithful
               Servant
               ,
               who
               does
               not
               sincerely
               intend
               his
               Master's
               Honour
               and
               Interest
               in
               all
               he
               doth
               ;
               so
               ,
               (
               according
               to
               the
               Scripture
               )
               none
               can
               claim
               the
               titles
               of
               Just
               or
               Righteous
               ,
               or
               have
               them
               bestowed
               upon
               them
               ,
               who
               do
               not
               all
               for
               God's
               sake
               ,
               whose
               chief
               Motive
               to
               do
               Good
               and
               forbear
               Evil
               is
               ,
               because
               the
               one
               is
               acceptable
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               offensive
               to
               him
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Wherefore
               those
               Divines
               are
               much
               to
               be
               censured
               ,
               who
               recommend
               Morality
               ,
               and
               a
               good
               Life
               chiefly
               by
               other
               Topicks
               than
               these
               :
               for
               they
               are
               either
               ignorant
               of
               the
               Principles
               and
               Philosophy
               of
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               or
               they
               discard
               the
               same
               to
               establish
               a
               better
               ,
               and
               more
               plausible
               Scheme
               of
               things
               .
               They
               who
               profess
               to
               believe
               the
               Divine
               Authority
               of
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               ought
               also
               to
               think
               that
               they
               are
               incapable
               to
               correct
               its
               Principles
               ,
               or
               to
               establish
               what
               is
               more
               Just
               ,
               or
               Wise
               ;
               and
               that
               they
               cannot
               better
               shew
               their
               Learning
               and
               Judgment
               ,
               than
               by
               making
               it
               appear
               that
               they
               fully
               understand
               the
               Scope
               and
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Scripture
               .
               But
               whatever
               Opinion
               they
               have
               of
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               seeing
               their
               Profession
               obligeth
               them
               to
               teach
               it
               ,
               they
               ought
               to
               do
               it
               candidly
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               without
               mixing
               their
               own
               Fansies
               and
               Opinions
               .
               If
               one
               was
               appointed
               to
               read
               a
               Lecture
               of
               either
               Aristotelian
               ,
               or
               Cartesian
               Philosophy
               ,
               he
               could
               not
               be
               said
               to
               
               execute
               his
               office
               with
               ingenuity
               ,
               who
               did
               not
               represent
               them
               purely
               according
               to
               their
               Authors
               ,
               but
               who
               did
               blend
               them
               with
               other
               Principles
               .
               A
               righteousness
               built
               on
               the
               Principles
               of
               Self-love
               ,
               Honour
               ,
               Conveniency
               ,
               Pleasure
               ,
               and
               such
               other
               Motives
               ,
               is
               a
               Righteousness
               built
               on
               a
               Heathen
               Foundation
               ,
               which
               cannot
               please
               God
               ,
               no
               more
               than
               we
               do
               think
               our selves
               obliged
               by
               Acts
               and
               Deeds
               ,
               which
               had
               no
               regard
               to
               us
               .
               I
               would
               not
               be
               thought
               by
               this
               to
               exclude
               all
               respect
               to
               our
               Private
               and
               Personal
               Interest
               ;
               nor
               yet
               to
               disprove
               a
               humble
               and
               modest
               Enquiry
               into
               the
               reasonableness
               or
               excellency
               of
               the
               Divine
               Laws
               :
               But
               as
               the
               surest
               Proof
               ,
               the
               clearest
               and
               shortest
               Demonstration
               of
               this
               ,
               is
               drawn
               from
               the
               Existence
               ,
               Nature
               ,
               Will
               ,
               and
               Authority
               of
               God
               ;
               Just
               as
               we
               best
               understand
               the
               Wisdom
               and
               Reasons
               of
               a
               Government
               ,
               by
               considering
               what
               the
               King
               is
               ,
               and
               what
               he
               proposes
               to
               himself
               .
               So
               the
               only
               design
               of
               this
               Enquiry
               should
               be
               to
               encourage
               our
               Obedience
               ,
               to
               render
               it
               more
               ready
               and
               chearful
               by
               convincing
               us
               ,
               that
               he
               ,
               who
               has
               the
               Authority
               over
               us
               ,
               employs
               it
               most
               for
               our
               Advantage
               ,
               that
               so
               the
               Servitude
               ,
               which
               we
               owe
               by
               Nature
               ,
               may
               become
               voluntary
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               be
               incapable
               of
               revolting
               :
               and
               tho'
               we
               could
               be
               free
               ,
               yet
               we
               may
               chuse
               rather
               to
               be
               Servants
               for
               ever
               ,
               like
               that
               Servant
               under
               the
               Law
               ,
               who
               gave
               his
               Ear
               to
               be
               bored
               thorow
               ,
               preferring
               (
               out
               of
               love
               to
               his
               Master
               )
               perpetual
               Bondage
               to
               his
               Freedom
               .
            
             
               I
               know
               not
               whether
               it
               should
               move
               Indignation
               or
               Pity
               most
               ,
               to
               see
               how
               pleasantly
               Men
               delude
               themselves
               with
               Suppositions
               of
               Mankind
               ;
               their
               starting
               up
               free
               without
               all
               obligation
               ,
               except
               to
               consult
               their
               own
               Pleasure
               and
               Convenience
               .
               Some
               ,
               who
               make
               these
               Suppositions
               ,
               deny
               a
               Deity
               ,
               and
               proceed
               without
               any
               Consideration
               of
               God.
               Others
               own
               a
               Deity
               ,
               but
               they
               found
               our
               Obligation
               to
               him
               only
               on
               his
               possessing
               Wisdom
               ,
               Reason
               and
               Knowledge
               in
               greater
               measure
               .
               But
               this
               state
               of
               Nature
               is
               a
               Dream
               and
               meer
               Romance
               ,
               and
               all
               their
               Suppositions
               are
               wild
               ,
               extravagant
               ,
               against
               Reason
               
               and
               Nature
               ,
               if
               Mankind
               had
               another
               beginning
               ,
               if
               we
               all
               owe
               our
               being
               to
               another
               ;
               for
               then
               we
               are
               not
               free
               ,
               our
               Creation
               subjects
               us
               to
               him
               .
               We
               ought
               in
               the
               first
               place
               to
               regard
               his
               Will
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               Law
               of
               indispensible
               Obligation
               ,
               not
               by
               vertue
               only
               of
               the
               reasonableness
               of
               it
               ,
               or
               the
               conveniency
               it
               brings
               with
               it
               ,
               but
               by
               vertue
               of
               the
               Authority
               enjoining
               it
               .
               He
               is
               an
               open
               Rebel
               who
               has
               no
               regard
               to
               this
               Authority
               at
               all
               ,
               and
               he
               ,
               who
               preferrs
               any
               thing
               to
               it
               ,
               or
               has
               any
               other
               thing
               in
               greater
               consideration
               ,
               has
               broke
               the
               first
               and
               greatest
               chain
               of
               Justice
               ;
               he
               is
               not
               truly
               Loyal
               ,
               but
               waits
               an
               opportunity
               to
               revolt
               .
               Tho'
               Rewards
               and
               Punishments
               be
               proposed
               ,
               yet
               they
               are
               not
               intended
               for
               weakening
               the
               Authority
               of
               the
               Supream
               Lord
               ;
               but
               to
               preserve
               it
               from
               contempt
               ,
               and
               to
               heighten
               our
               regard
               for
               it
               .
               Which
               Rewards
               we
               ought
               to
               consider
               ,
               and
               have
               always
               before
               us
               ,
               both
               that
               we
               may
               know
               the
               Nature
               and
               Importance
               of
               those
               things
               to
               which
               they
               are
               annexed
               ;
               and
               also
               ,
               that
               by
               them
               we
               may
               be
               the
               more
               capable
               to
               serve
               and
               glorifie
               God
               ,
               to
               whom
               we
               owe
               infinite
               Service
               ,
               if
               it
               were
               in
               our
               Power
               .
            
          
           
             
               ESSAY
               IV.
               
            
             
               The
               Existence
               of
               God
               is
               most
               Evident
               .
            
             
               FRom
               what
               hath
               been
               said
               it
               necessarily
               follows
               ,
               that
               the
               first
               Principle
               of
               true
               Righteousness
               ,
               the
               Foundation
               of
               all
               Morality
               and
               Religion
               ,
               is
               this
               Faith
               by
               which
               we
               firmly
               believe
               
                 that
                 God
                 is
              
               ,
               and
               that
               we
               derive
               our
               Life
               and
               Being
               from
               him
               ;
               that
               he
               Rules
               and
               Governs
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               that
               he
               is
               a
               
                 Rewarder
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 diligently
                 seek
                 him
                 .
              
               This
               comprehends
               all
               ;
               and
               all
               other
               things
               are
               but
               Deductions
               from
               this
               .
               Shake
               this
               ,
               and
               all
               falls
               to
               the
               Ground
               ;
               the
               whole
               Fabrick
               of
               Religion
               and
               Morality
               shivers
               into
               pieces
               .
               But
               then
               this
               cannot
               
               be
               shaken
               :
               It
               stands
               like
               a
               Rock
               ,
               immoveable
               ,
               notwithstanding
               of
               all
               the
               furious
               blasts
               of
               insolent
               Men
               in
               the
               several
               Ages
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               perhaps
               ,
               never
               any
               of
               the
               former
               made
               so
               many
               ,
               or
               so
               violent
               attacks
               as
               this
               present
               .
               This
               Foundation
               is
               surer
               than
               that
               of
               the
               World
               it self
               ;
               for
               when
               the
               Foundation
               of
               the
               World
               shall
               be
               overturned
               ,
               this
               shall
               stand
               sure
               to
               all
               Eternity
               ,
               as
               it
               was
               before
               the
               Foundation
               of
               the
               World
               it self
               was
               laid
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               And
               as
               it
               is
               sure
               and
               certain
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               clear
               and
               evident
               .
               This
               is
               not
               a
               Truth
               which
               lies
               hid
               ,
               or
               mysteriously
               wrap'd
               up
               ,
               which
               requires
               depth
               of
               Judgment
               ,
               vast
               Learning
               ,
               assiduous
               Study
               ,
               and
               great
               Pains
               to
               the
               digging
               it
               up
               :
               We
               may
               come
               at
               this
               ,
               without
               undertaking
               long
               and
               dangerous
               Voyages
               ,
               without
               the
               wearisome
               Study
               of
               Languages
               ,
               without
               turning
               over
               many
               Volumes
               ,
               without
               the
               trouble
               of
               consulting
               all
               the
               Wise
               and
               Learned
               ,
               and
               collecting
               their
               Sentiments
               .
               This
               lies
               open
               to
               every
               Man
               of
               common
               Sense
               and
               Judgment
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               what
               every
               Man
               should
               know
               ,
               believe
               ,
               and
               understand
               .
               The
               Necessaries
               of
               Life
               are
               common
               every
               where
               ,
               and
               may
               be
               had
               in
               every
               Country
               by
               a
               reasonable
               Industry
               ,
               which
               is
               no
               ways
               uneasie
               .
               What
               must
               be
               fetch'd
               from
               afar
               ,
               with
               much
               expence
               and
               labour
               ,
               doth
               rather
               please
               Fansie
               ,
               than
               serve
               Nature
               :
               So
               they
               are
               only
               
                 Indian
                 Trifles
              
               ,
               for
               amusing
               and
               sustaining
               a
               vain
               Curiosity
               ,
               which
               for
               the
               most
               part
               are
               returned
               to
               us
               by
               the
               Laborious
               Travels
               of
               Learned
               Men.
               And
               tho'
               they
               produce
               also
               things
               Substantial
               ,
               to
               give
               solid
               Delight
               and
               Satisfaction
               ;
               yet
               even
               of
               these
               it
               must
               be
               said
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               not
               absolutely
               necessary
               to
               give
               us
               Wisdom
               and
               Knowledge
               ,
               to
               establish
               this
               Faith
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Ground-work
               and
               Foundation
               of
               all
               .
               What
               is
               necessary
               and
               sufficient
               for
               this
               ,
               is
               obvious
               and
               at
               hand
               ,
               that
               all
               may
               be
               without
               excuse
               ;
               for
               which
               cause
               I
               may
               apply
               these
               words
               of
               Moses
               ,
               
                 This
                 is
                 not
                 hidden
                 from
                 thee
                 ,
                 neither
                 is
                 it
                 far
                 off
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 say
                 ,
                 who
                 shall
                 go
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 it
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 hear
                 it
                 and
                 do
                 it
                 .
                 
                 Neither
                 is
                 it
                 beyond
                 the
                 Sea
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 say
                 ,
                 who
                 shall
                 go
                 over
                 the
                 Sea
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 it
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 hear
                 it
                 and
                 do
                 it
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 word
                 of
                 Faith
                 is
                 very
                 nigh
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 in
                 thy
                 Mouth
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 thy
                 Heart
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 mayst
                 do
                 it
                 ,
              
               Deut.
               30.
               12.
               
               That
               is
               ,
               the
               Evidence
               of
               this
               Faith
               depends
               not
               on
               the
               knowledge
               of
               what
               is
               transacted
               in
               these
               upper
               Regions
               ,
               nor
               on
               what
               passeth
               in
               the
               remote
               Parts
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               but
               the
               Evidence
               of
               it
               lies
               in
               every
               Man
               's
               own
               Bosom
               :
               His
               own
               Mind
               (
               if
               he
               hearken
               to
               it
               )
               can
               make
               him
               conscious
               of
               this
               Truth
               :
               That
               thing
               within
               him
               (
               whatever
               it
               be
               )
               which
               makes
               him
               sensible
               of
               other
               things
               ,
               can
               convince
               him
               of
               this
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Because
               I
               intend
               to
               speak
               intelligibly
               to
               all
               ,
               what
               the
               meanest
               Capacity
               may
               comprehend
               ,
               I
               will
               not
               run
               into
               the
               Philosophical
               Debate
               about
               
                 innate
                 Ideas
              
               ;
               I
               will
               not
               enquire
               ,
               whether
               all
               be
               born
               with
               an
               Idea
               of
               God
               ,
               nor
               of
               what
               force
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               demonstrate
               his
               Existence
               ;
               but
               whether
               the
               Mind
               of
               Man
               come
               to
               the
               World
               void
               of
               all
               Notions
               ,
               or
               prepossessed
               with
               Principles
               ,
               by
               which
               it
               is
               to
               examine
               all
               things
               afterwards
               :
               it
               is
               certain
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               capable
               of
               discerning
               things
               when
               duely
               set
               before
               it
               ;
               as
               the
               Eye
               is
               capable
               of
               distinguishing
               objects
               and
               colours
               in
               a
               clear
               light
               ,
               and
               at
               a
               due
               distance
               .
               If
               the
               Mind
               cannot
               refuse
               an
               assent
               to
               some
               things
               ,
               if
               upon
               every
               representation
               of
               them
               it
               owns
               a
               Conviction
               ,
               and
               cannot
               without
               violence
               work
               it self
               into
               a
               denial
               ;
               it
               is
               all
               a
               matter
               ,
               whether
               this
               be
               from
               
                 innate
                 Principles
              
               ,
               or
               the
               
                 natural
                 Evidence
              
               of
               these
               things
               themselves
               .
               And
               that
               there
               are
               some
               things
               clearer
               and
               more
               evident
               than
               Demonstration
               it self
               ,
               appears
               from
               this
               ,
               that
               even
               
                 Mathematical
                 Demonstration
              
               proceeds
               upon
               the
               supposition
               of
               this
               ,
               and
               requires
               them
               as
               Postulata
               .
               Now
               the
               Mathematicians
               have
               only
               considered
               such
               Axioms
               as
               relate
               to
               Lines
               ,
               Figures
               ,
               and
               Bodies
               :
               There
               are
               other
               Principles
               as
               self-evident
               as
               these
               ;
               whence
               comes
               that
               the
               Voice
               of
               Nature
               is
               Uniform
               ,
               and
               that
               there
               is
               a
               common
               consent
               of
               Mankind
               :
               Wherefore
               it
               is
               no
               Paradox
               to
               say
               ,
               that
               the
               Existence
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Principles
               of
               Morality
               ,
               is
               
               not
               only
               as
               certain
               ,
               but
               more
               evident
               than
               the
               Propositions
               of
               Euclid
               ,
               because
               the
               generality
               of
               Mankind
               have
               always
               easily
               (
               by
               the
               very
               bent
               of
               their
               Nature
               )
               given
               an
               assent
               unto
               them
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               greatest
               Barbarity
               and
               Corruption
               could
               never
               entirely
               deface
               them
               .
               Some
               Mens
               Genius
               is
               not
               capable
               of
               Mathematicks
               ,
               but
               all
               are
               capable
               or
               Morality
               ;
               and
               the
               reason
               of
               it
               is
               so
               plain
               ,
               that
               every
               unbyass'd
               Mind
               assents
               to
               it
               .
            
             
               That
               there
               are
               Debates
               about
               some
               Moral
               Principles
               ,
               and
               particularly
               this
               of
               a
               Deity
               ,
               is
               no
               more
               an
               Objection
               against
               the
               Evidence
               thereof
               ,
               than
               the
               Arguments
               of
               Zeno
               against
               the
               Possibility
               of
               Motion
               ,
               or
               the
               Sophistry
               of
               the
               Scepticks
               against
               the
               certainty
               of
               these
               things
               which
               fall
               under
               our
               senses
               .
               There
               are
               some
               things
               which
               a
               Child
               can
               distinguish
               as
               well
               as
               any
               of
               riper
               Years
               ,
               and
               which
               a
               Country
               Clown
               may
               Judge
               of
               as
               well
               as
               a
               Philosopher
               ;
               and
               consequently
               common
               Sense
               and
               Reason
               may
               be
               known
               from
               the
               one
               as
               well
               as
               the
               other
               ,
               nay
               ,
               very
               often
               better
               :
               for
               the
               one
               speaketh
               what
               his
               Mind
               naturally
               dictates
               ,
               whereas
               the
               other
               being
               amused
               with
               the
               Notions
               he
               hath
               read
               ,
               which
               his
               Head
               always
               runs
               upon
               ;
               He
               discourseth
               according
               to
               these
               ,
               and
               so
               perverteth
               his
               Natural
               Reason
               .
               The
               most
               simple
               Person
               can
               at
               first
               sight
               distinguish
               
                 Natural
                 Things
              
               from
               Artificial
               ,
               and
               without
               hesitation
               ,
               without
               waiting
               a
               deduction
               of
               
                 Logical
                 Inserences
              
               is
               presently
               convinced
               ,
               that
               both
               the
               one
               and
               the
               other
               has
               a
               cause
               ,
               and
               did
               not
               spring
               from
               themselves
               .
               None
               was
               ever
               so
               sensless
               as
               to
               think
               a
               House
               was
               built
               without
               Hands
               ;
               and
               any
               of
               common
               sense
               seeth
               ,
               that
               
                 Natural
                 Things
              
               far
               excelleth
               these
               of
               Art
               ,
               being
               more
               curiously
               wrought
               ,
               more
               admirably
               contrived
               ,
               being
               more
               beautiful
               ,
               serving
               to
               more
               uses
               ;
               and
               in
               a
               word
               ,
               every
               way
               more
               perfect
               .
               Therefore
               leave
               Men
               to
               the
               freedom
               of
               their
               own
               reason
               ,
               they
               would
               as
               readily
               believe
               a
               God
               ,
               as
               that
               a
               House
               had
               a
               Builder
               ,
               or
               a
               Watch
               an
               Artificer
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Some
               will
               not
               yield
               that
               there
               are
               ,
               or
               can
               be
               real
               Atheists
               ;
               because
               it
               implies
               such
               absurdity
               .
               But
               we
               see
               
               daily
               instances
               of
               Mens
               swallowing
               very
               gross
               Absurdities
               :
               Nay
               ,
               there
               is
               hardly
               any
               absurdity
               which
               some
               or
               other
               has
               not
               received
               ;
               which
               should
               teach
               the
               wisest
               to
               walk
               with
               fear
               ,
               and
               to
               preserve
               their
               reason
               carefully
               .
               If
               there
               be
               no
               Atheists
               ,
               some
               take
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               Pains
               to
               no
               purpose
               ;
               for
               they
               are
               at
               much
               ado
               to
               perswade
               us
               that
               they
               themselves
               are
               ,
               and
               to
               bring
               others
               to
               be
               Atheists
               .
            
             
               But
               as
               I
               see
               no
               reason
               to
               doubt
               that
               there
               are
               such
               ,
               tho'
               very
               much
               reason
               that
               there
               should
               be
               none
               .
               So
               Mens
               Athèism
               proceeds
               either
               ,
               1
               st
               .
               From
               their
               Vitiousness
               ,
               which
               first
               breeds
               in
               them
               a
               dislike
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               then
               carries
               them
               to
               dispute
               his
               Providence
               ,
               and
               at
               last
               his
               Existence
               .
               Just
               as
               they
               who
               are
               embarked
               in
               some
               Design
               ,
               which
               makes
               them
               dread
               the
               King
               ,
               first
               Quarrel
               with
               his
               Government
               ,
               and
               then
               deny
               his
               right
               and
               title
               .
               Or
               ,
               2
               dly
               .
               It
               arises
               from
               the
               Difficulties
               which
               they
               meet
               with
               in
               the
               Contemplation
               of
               his
               Nature
               and
               Attributes
               ;
               because
               they
               cannot
               clear
               or
               comprehend
               these
               ,
               therefore
               they
               deny
               his
               Being
               ,
               thinking
               it
               better
               to
               deny
               what
               is
               plain
               and
               evident
               ,
               than
               to
               own
               their
               Ignorance
               ,
               or
               the
               shortness
               of
               their
               Reason
               ,
               than
               which
               nothing
               can
               be
               more
               unreasonable
               ,
               as
               we
               may
               have
               occasion
               to
               shew
               afterwards
               .
               Is
               it
               reasonable
               to
               deny
               plain
               and
               common
               things
               ,
               because
               there
               are
               some
               things
               without
               our
               reach
               ?
               Shall
               I
               put
               out
               my
               Eyes
               because
               they
               fail
               me
               in
               some
               particulars
               ?
               because
               they
               do
               not
               reach
               beyond
               the
               Clouds
               ,
               nor
               penetrate
               into
               the
               
                 Secrets
                 of
                 Nature
              
               ?
               Difficulties
               which
               are
               insuperable
               may
               put
               a
               stop
               to
               further
               Enquiries
               ,
               and
               make
               it
               reasonable
               not
               to
               determine
               any
               thing
               positively
               in
               these
               Matters
               where
               we
               find
               them
               :
               but
               they
               can
               never
               make
               it
               reasonable
               to
               deny
               what
               was
               clearly
               perceived
               before
               these
               occurred
               .
            
             
               Tho'
               the
               Divine
               Essence
               he
               incomprehensible
               ,
               because
               infinite
               ,
               and
               because
               it
               does
               not
               fall
               under
               our
               sense
               ,
               tho'
               the
               ways
               and
               Workings
               of
               God
               be
               unsearchable
               and
               past
               finding
               out
               ,
               yet
               plainer
               and
               more
               certain
               Evidences
               cannot
               be
               desired
               of
               united
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               ,
               than
               what
               
               we
               have
               continually
               before
               us
               ;
               nay
               ,
               carry
               about
               with
               us
               in
               our
               own
               selves
               .
               As
               soon
               as
               one
               casts
               his
               Eye
               seriously
               upon
               them
               ,
               he
               shall
               be
               convinced
               :
               He
               that
               considers
               them
               ,
               shall
               acknowledge
               them
               ;
               and
               therefore
               a
               Third
               Cause
               of
               Atheism
               is
               want
               of
               Consideration
               and
               Reflection
               .
               Some
               are
               Atheists
               ,
               because
               they
               do
               not
               think
               ;
               their
               Souls
               are
               always
               asleep
               ,
               and
               they
               never
               open
               the
               Eyes
               of
               their
               Mind
               to
               behold
               ,
               by
               a
               wise
               regard
               ,
               the
               many
               Prodigies
               of
               Omniscient
               Power
               ,
               the
               beautiful
               Scenes
               ,
               the
               curious
               and
               admirable
               contrivances
               of
               Almighty
               Wisdom
               ,
               with
               which
               the
               World
               is
               filled
               .
               They
               are
               like
               these
               sensual
               ,
               dull
               ,
               and
               uninquisitive
               Souls
               ,
               which
               creep
               about
               the
               Palaces
               of
               Princes
               ,
               on
               the
               account
               of
               the
               Meat
               and
               Drink
               ,
               which
               is
               to
               be
               had
               there
               in
               plenty
               .
               They
               mind
               nothing
               but
               the
               crambing
               their
               Bellies
               ,
               and
               are
               altogether
               insensible
               of
               the
               
                 Stately
                 Magnificence
              
               ,
               the
               
                 Curious
                 Architecture
              
               ,
               the
               
                 fine
                 Sculpture
              
               and
               Painting
               ,
               which
               draws
               Strangers
               thither
               from
               all
               Parts
               of
               the
               World.
               He
               ,
               who
               leads
               such
               a
               life
               ,
               should
               be
               set
               to
               graze
               with
               the
               Beasts
               ,
               for
               his
               life
               is
               not
               much
               better
               than
               theirs
               ,
               and
               his
               Soul
               seems
               to
               be
               altogether
               sensitive
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               the
               Property
               of
               Man
               to
               think
               :
               his
               Dignity
               above
               the
               other
               Creatures
               lies
               in
               a
               power
               of
               discerning
               and
               understanding
               things
               ,
               their
               Nature
               ,
               Ends
               ,
               and
               Uses
               ,
               their
               relation
               to
               each
               other
               ,
               their
               cause
               and
               contrivance
               ,
               and
               what
               else
               may
               enlarge
               the
               Mind
               with
               Wisdom
               and
               Knowledge
               to
               which
               he
               bends
               (
               when
               free
               )
               as
               naturally
               as
               a
               Stone
               to
               the
               Earth
               .
               He
               ,
               who
               does
               not
               employ
               his
               Thoughts
               these
               ways
               ,
               abdicates
               the
               Dignity
               of
               his
               Nature
               ;
               and
               he
               ,
               who
               thus
               carefully
               maintains
               it
               ,
               will
               be
               full
               of
               God
               ,
               if
               I
               may
               so
               speak
               ,
               God
               will
               be
               in
               all
               his
               thoughts
               ,
               for
               he
               shall
               see
               him
               every
               where
               ,
               before
               him
               ,
               behind
               him
               ,
               on
               every
               side
               ,
               and
               in
               every
               thing
               .
               As
               the
               foolish
               Iews
               asked
               a
               sign
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               when
               according
               to
               their
               Hypotheses
               ,
               and
               the
               Supposition
               of
               their
               Law
               and
               Prophets
               which
               they
               themselves
               believed
               ,
               every
               word
               he
               spoke
               ,
               and
               every
               work
               he
               did
               was
               a
               Sign
               .
               So
               some
               unreasonably
               demand
               a
               Proof
               or
               Demonstration
               
               of
               a
               Deity
               ,
               whilst
               they
               walk
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               Demonstrations
               ,
               and
               do
               tread
               on
               them
               every
               step
               .
               If
               we
               cannot
               see
               his
               invisible
               Essence
               ,
               yet
               upon
               the
               first
               opening
               our
               Eyes
               ,
               we
               discern
               unquestionable
               Effects
               of
               his
               Essential
               Attributes
               :
               And
               if
               they
               do
               not
               affect
               us
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               common
               and
               ordinary
               ,
               it
               bewrays
               our
               want
               of
               Judgment
               and
               Consideration
               ;
               for
               the
               excellency
               of
               a
               thing
               lies
               not
               in
               its
               being
               rare
               and
               singular
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               design
               ,
               contrivance
               ,
               and
               usefulness
               .
               Is
               the
               Art
               of
               a
               Watch
               less
               to
               be
               regarded
               ,
               or
               doth
               the
               Memory
               of
               the
               first
               Inventor
               deserve
               less
               honour
               ,
               because
               now
               adays
               every
               body
               carries
               one
               in
               his
               Pocket
               ;
               and
               that
               perhaps
               some
               of
               no
               great
               capacity
               are
               taught
               to
               work
               them
               .
            
          
           
             
               ESSAY
               V.
               
            
             
               Evidences
               of
               a
               Deity
               in
               Man.
               
            
             
               1.
               
               GEnerals
               do
               not
               much
               affect
               us
               ,
               nor
               are
               things
               distinctly
               known
               by
               a
               general
               view
               of
               them
               ,
               we
               then
               see
               and
               understand
               them
               best
               ,
               when
               we
               consider
               each
               apart
               by
               it self
               .
               The
               World
               is
               too
               large
               a
               Prospect
               to
               be
               taken
               up
               at
               once
               ;
               we
               will
               therefore
               descend
               to
               particulars
               ,
               and
               shall
               begin
               at
               home
               .
               Take
               a
               view
               but
               of
               the
               outward
               make
               and
               figure
               of
               the
               Body
               of
               Man
               ;
               Consider
               the
               variety
               of
               Parts
               ,
               the
               Symmetry
               ,
               Situation
               and
               Proportion
               ,
               either
               in
               respect
               to
               the
               whole
               ,
               or
               to
               each
               other
               ;
               the
               firmness
               of
               the
               Feet
               ,
               the
               strength
               of
               the
               Legs
               ,
               the
               well-compacted
               thickness
               of
               the
               Thighs
               ,
               the
               stateliness
               of
               the
               Trunk
               ,
               the
               force
               of
               the
               Arms
               ,
               the
               contrivance
               and
               innumerable
               uses
               of
               the
               Hand
               ,
               the
               comeliness
               and
               beauty
               of
               the
               Face
               ,
               the
               majesty
               of
               the
               Countenance
               ,
               and
               the
               ornament
               of
               the
               Hair.
               The
               finest
               Painters
               and
               most
               curious
               Statuaries
               think
               they
               cannot
               shew
               their
               Skill
               better
               ,
               than
               to
               imitate
               these
               ,
               and
               tho'
               the
               best
               imitation
               of
               them
               be
               very
               rude
               in
               Comparison
               with
               
               the
               Original
               ,
               yet
               even
               these
               rude
               Counterfeits
               have
               been
               much
               admired
               ,
               and
               have
               procured
               much
               Honour
               and
               Fame
               to
               those
               who
               made
               them
               .
               Now
               if
               the
               Copy
               be
               admired
               ,
               what
               doth
               the
               Original
               deserve
               ?
               If
               the
               Picture
               or
               Statue
               shew
               Art
               and
               Skill
               ,
               shall
               the
               Original
               be
               ascribed
               to
               chance
               ?
               Is
               it
               not
               more
               reasonable
               to
               think
               that
               it
               is
               the
               work
               of
               some
               wise
               and
               excellent
               Hand
               ?
            
             
               2.
               
               Especially
               if
               we
               penetrate
               into
               the
               Inward
               frame
               and
               texture
               ,
               which
               is
               altogether
               unimitable
               :
               none
               was
               ever
               so
               mad
               as
               to
               attempt
               it
               .
               When
               the
               outward
               covering
               of
               the
               Skin
               ,
               which
               also
               is
               admirable
               ,
               being
               a
               Net
               of
               Nerves
               curiously
               interwoven
               ,
               when
               this
               (
               I
               say
               )
               is
               laid
               aside
               ,
               what
               a
               wonderful
               Contrivance
               appears
               of
               Bones
               ,
               Muscles
               ,
               Arteries
               ,
               Nerves
               ,
               and
               other
               Vessels
               ,
               which
               both
               astonish
               the
               wisest
               ,
               and
               also
               afford
               them
               matter
               of
               curious
               Enquiry
               .
               Since
               the
               Beginning
               of
               the
               World
               all
               the
               wise
               and
               curious
               have
               been
               prying
               into
               the
               Body
               of
               Man
               ,
               Dissecting
               and
               Anatomizing
               the
               Parts
               of
               it
               .
               Some
               have
               spent
               their
               whole
               life
               in
               considering
               but
               one
               particular
               Part
               ;
               and
               yet
               after
               so
               many
               Thousand
               Years
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               perfect
               discovery
               ,
               either
               of
               the
               whole
               ,
               or
               almost
               of
               any
               part
               .
               There
               is
               a
               
                 terra
                 incognita
              
               even
               in
               this
               
                 little
                 World.
              
               As
               there
               are
               at
               this
               day
               better
               Anatomists
               than
               whom
               former
               Ages
               could
               boast
               off
               :
               So
               the
               most
               Skilful
               do
               acknowledge
               ingenuously
               ,
               that
               they
               discern
               neither
               all
               the
               Parts
               of
               this
               admirable
               Machine
               ,
               nor
               yet
               all
               the
               true
               Uses
               of
               those
               Parts
               which
               have
               been
               discovered
               .
               All
               the
               Functions
               of
               the
               Brain
               and
               Spleen
               are
               not
               yet
               understood
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               but
               meer
               Conjecture
               what
               is
               said
               of
               several
               others
               .
               Is
               it
               not
               then
               against
               common
               sense
               to
               ascribe
               to
               any
               thing
               but
               perfect
               Wisdom
               ,
               what
               is
               thus
               above
               the
               reach
               of
               the
               wisest
               Men
               ,
               and
               what
               puzzles
               them
               to
               comprehend
               !
            
             
               3.
               
               To
               give
               further
               Conviction
               of
               this
               truth
               ,
               
                 let
                 Life
                 ,
                 Motion
              
               ,
               and
               Sense
               be
               considered
               .
               What
               admirable
               and
               exquisite
               Wisdom
               doth
               appear
               in
               the
               frame
               and
               disposal
               of
               the
               Senses
               !
               As
               in
               a
               City
               invested
               with
               Enemies
               ,
               and
               in
               danger
               to
               be
               betrayed
               ,
               it
               is
               necessary
               to
               advert
               to
               all
               
               the
               Motions
               of
               those
               within
               ,
               and
               to
               keep
               Watch
               at
               all
               the
               Ramparts
               ,
               and
               other
               places
               proper
               for
               discovering
               the
               Advances
               and
               dangerous
               Approaches
               of
               the
               Enemy
               .
               So
               it
               is
               necessary
               to
               the
               preservation
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               that
               both
               its
               outward
               and
               inward
               state
               be
               perfectly
               understood
               ,
               that
               all
               the
               Motions
               within
               ,
               and
               all
               Applications
               without
               be
               felt
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               be
               presently
               known
               what
               are
               hurtful
               ,
               and
               what
               convenient
               ,
               what
               should
               be
               cherished
               ,
               and
               what
               prevented
               ;
               wherefore
               we
               see
               that
               the
               Organs
               of
               this
               Sense
               of
               Feeling
               are
               posted
               every
               where
               throughout
               the
               Body
               ;
               so
               that
               the
               least
               disturbance
               within
               ,
               and
               the
               slightest
               touch
               without
               ,
               even
               in
               the
               Extremities
               ,
               is
               instantly
               perceived
               .
               Tasting
               being
               designed
               for
               distinguishing
               Meats
               ,
               and
               for
               discerning
               what
               is
               agreeable
               ;
               therefore
               the
               Instrument
               of
               this
               Sense
               is
               the
               fore-part
               of
               the
               Tongue
               ,
               which
               lies
               at
               the
               very
               Gates
               of
               the
               first
               entry
               or
               passage
               to
               the
               Stomach
               ,
               to
               secure
               against
               what
               is
               disagreeable
               :
               For
               if
               the
               Faculty
               of
               Tasting
               had
               been
               placed
               more
               inwards
               ,
               the
               disgorging
               unsavoury
               things
               should
               have
               been
               very
               incommodious
               .
               Because
               all
               the
               ends
               and
               purposes
               of
               Smelling
               may
               be
               served
               by
               
                 one
                 Organ
              
               ,
               therefore
               there
               is
               no
               more
               ,
               but
               that
               is
               curiously
               formed
               ,
               and
               admirably
               sitted
               to
               receive
               the
               insensible
               Particles
               ,
               which
               evaporate
               from
               all
               Material
               Substances
               ,
               whether
               animate
               or
               inanimate
               ,
               natural
               or
               composed
               .
               However
               the
               Organ
               of
               
                 this
                 Sense
              
               is
               grosser
               in
               Man
               ,
               than
               in
               some
               other
               Animals
               ,
               because
               they
               require
               it
               far
               more
               exquisite
               .
               For
               Example
               ,
               If
               the
               Dog
               had
               not
               this
               Sense
               in
               a
               nicer
               measure
               than
               Man
               ,
               he
               would
               not
               be
               worth
               keeping
               ;
               for
               then
               he
               could
               neither
               trace
               out
               his
               Master's
               footsteps
               ,
               nor
               yet
               find
               out
               where
               the
               Partridge
               feeds
               ,
               or
               the
               Hare
               has
               her
               Seat
               ,
               which
               certainly
               never
               happened
               by
               Accident
               .
               If
               this
               be
               not
               Design
               ,
               we
               may
               make
               Design
               and
               Chance
               all
               one
               ;
               for
               it
               is
               impossible
               to
               distinguish
               them
               .
            
             
               The
               
                 two
                 other
                 Senses
              
               being
               by
               far
               the
               most
               Delightful
               and
               Profitable
               ,
               therefore
               each
               has
               
                 two
                 Organs
              
               ,
               most
               wisely
               situated
               ,
               and
               most
               admirably
               contrived
               to
               answer
               the
               
               purposes
               of
               these
               two
               Faculties
               .
               The
               Fabrick
               and
               Motion
               of
               the
               Eye
               is
               so
               curious
               ,
               that
               never
               any
               yet
               did
               consider
               it
               without
               wonder
               and
               astonishment
               .
               This
               is
               the
               foundation
               of
               the
               Opticks
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               most
               pleasant
               and
               curious
               part
               of
               Mathematicks
               .
               Upon
               which
               account
               ,
               I
               must
               say
               ,
               That
               if
               there
               be
               Mathematicians
               who
               are
               Atheists
               ,
               they
               are
               of
               all
               others
               most
               inexcusable
               :
               For
               seeing
               Vision
               ,
               and
               the
               Fabrick
               and
               Motion
               of
               the
               Eye
               ,
               by
               which
               it
               is
               performed
               ,
               is
               according
               to
               the
               strictest
               Rules
               of
               Mathematicks
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               must
               be
               a
               Master
               of
               that
               Art
               ,
               who
               can
               unfold
               the
               Method
               and
               Manner
               of
               Vision
               ,
               and
               explain
               the
               Reasons
               of
               it
               .
               Is
               it
               not
               the
               height
               of
               Impudence
               ?
               Is
               it
               not
               a
               Violence
               to
               common
               Sense
               ?
               Is
               it
               not
               to
               contradict
               and
               baffle
               Demonstration
               it self
               ,
               either
               to
               think
               or
               say
               that
               Vision
               was
               contrived
               ,
               or
               the
               Eye
               framed
               without
               Wisdom
               ,
               or
               that
               the
               Author
               thereof
               was
               not
               skilled
               in
               the
               Nature
               of
               Light
               ,
               the
               Rules
               of
               Motion
               ,
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               Refraction
               and
               Reflexion
               ,
               without
               which
               the
               Eye
               had
               been
               no
               Eye
               ,
               nor
               Vision
               ever
               effectuated
               ?
               To
               secure
               this
               necessary
               Organ
               from
               danger
               ,
               it
               is
               lodged
               in
               a
               well
               adapted
               
                 bony
                 Orbite
              
               ;
               and
               because
               only
               a
               Body
               of
               a
               Spherical
               Figure
               can
               move
               easily
               within
               another
               ,
               especially
               when
               the
               whole
               space
               is
               to
               be
               filled
               up
               ,
               therefore
               the
               Eye
               is
               Spherical
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               only
               Figure
               capable
               of
               those
               many
               Motions
               which
               are
               necessary
               for
               discerning
               the
               various
               Objects
               which
               surround
               us
               ;
               and
               both
               to
               facilitate
               these
               Motions
               ,
               and
               for
               performing
               them
               rightly
               ,
               it
               is
               tied
               by
               various
               Muscles
               ,
               interwoven
               with
               many
               Nerves
               ;
               by
               the
               means
               of
               which
               ,
               it
               moves
               up
               and
               down
               and
               to
               either
               side
               easily
               .
               These
               Muscles
               are
               also
               so
               situate
               ,
               that
               one
               is
               a
               kind
               of
               curb
               to
               the
               motion
               of
               the
               other
               ,
               lest
               the
               Eye
               should
               be
               in
               hazard
               of
               being
               renversed
               :
               Moreover
               ,
               they
               serve
               to
               keep
               the
               Eye
               fixed
               upon
               Objects
               ,
               as
               long
               as
               there
               is
               occasion
               to
               look
               at
               them
               .
               The
               Eye-lids
               are
               not
               only
               for
               a
               cover
               when
               we
               are
               asleep
               ;
               but
               also
               they
               serve
               to
               clean
               and
               clear
               it
               by
               their
               Motions
               ,
               which
               could
               not
               be
               so
               safely
               done
               by
               the
               Hand
               .
               As
               the
               Eye
               giveth
               Life
               and
               Beauty
               to
               the
               Countenance
               ,
               and
               discovers
               
               the
               inward
               Thoughts
               and
               hidden
               Temper
               both
               of
               Body
               and
               Mind
               ;
               so
               nothing
               could
               have
               been
               more
               admirably
               contrived
               for
               Vision
               ;
               being
               composed
               of
               various
               humours
               contained
               in
               different
               Coats
               .
               The
               Cornea
               or
               White
               is
               convex
               ,
               and
               receiveth
               different
               degrees
               of
               Convexity
               ,
               according
               as
               the
               Objects
               are
               far
               or
               near
               :
               and
               to
               render
               it
               capable
               of
               changing
               its
               Figure
               thus
               ,
               the
               humour
               next
               to
               it
               is
               thin
               ,
               liquid
               ,
               and
               pliable
               ,
               which
               is
               therefore
               called
               Aqueous
               .
               The
               Pupilla
               or
               Sight
               doth
               dilate
               and
               contract
               it self
               as
               there
               is
               more
               or
               less
               Light.
               And
               because
               various
               distances
               of
               Objects
               require
               different
               Positions
               of
               the
               
                 Cristalline
                 humour
              
               ,
               through
               which
               the
               Rays
               of
               Light
               pass
               to
               the
               Retina
               ,
               where
               they
               form
               the
               Image
               of
               the
               external
               Object
               :
               For
               Rays
               from
               a
               nearer
               Object
               unite
               at
               a
               greater
               distance
               than
               those
               which
               come
               from
               an
               Object
               more
               remote
               ;
               therefore
               the
               
                 Cristalline
                 humour
              
               is
               pressed
               upon
               the
               Retina
               ,
               by
               what
               Anatomists
               call
               
                 Ligamentum
                 Ciliare
              
               ,
               and
               yet
               it
               is
               kept
               by
               the
               
                 Vitrious
                 humour
              
               ,
               at
               such
               a
               due
               distance
               as
               is
               necessary
               for
               uniting
               the
               Rays
               exactly
               upon
               it
               .
               And
               that
               the
               Image
               of
               the
               Object
               ,
               which
               is
               formed
               upon
               the
               Retina
               ,
               may
               not
               be
               disordered
               by
               a
               Reflexion
               of
               the
               Rays
               which
               pass
               through
               it
               ,
               therefore
               the
               Choroides
               or
               coat
               which
               surrounds
               it
               ,
               is
               tinctured
               black
               ,
               which
               colour
               doth
               not
               reflect
               any
               Rays
               ;
               for
               if
               it
               were
               of
               another
               colour
               it
               would
               ,
               and
               so
               hinder
               a
               distinct
               Vision
               of
               external
               Objects
               .
               The
               Retina
               ,
               upon
               which
               the
               Image
               of
               all
               external
               Objects
               is
               formed
               ,
               is
               not
               above
               an
               inch
               and
               a
               half
               ;
               and
               yet
               without
               Calculation
               or
               consulting
               Experience
               ,
               or
               Arithmetical
               Tables
               of
               Proportion
               ,
               we
               are
               made
               to
               perceive
               all
               Objects
               distinctly
               in
               their
               just
               and
               real
               Proportions
               and
               at
               their
               true
               Distances
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               most
               wonderful
               Contrivance
               ,
               altogether
               impossible
               without
               infinite
               Power
               and
               Wisdom
               ,
               as
               both
               this
               and
               some
               other
               particulars
               of
               Vision
               are
               inexplicable
               by
               humane
               Reason
               .
            
             
               Nor
               is
               the
               Ear
               less
               curious
               than
               the
               Eye
               :
               Some
               offer
               to
               prove
               it
               more
               Artificial
               ;
               but
               ,
               Comparisons
               here
               (
               as
               in
               other
               things
               )
               are
               to
               no
               purpose
               .
               Certainly
               ,
               there
               are
               
               as
               many
               (
               if
               not
               more
               )
               distinct
               Parts
               in
               the
               Fabrick
               of
               the
               Ear
               than
               Eye
               .
               But
               it
               not
               being
               my
               design
               to
               give
               an
               Anatomical
               Discourse
               ,
               I
               will
               not
               offer
               to
               dissect
               it
               .
               Notice
               of
               all
               external
               Sound
               is
               given
               by
               a
               
                 delicate
                 Membrane
              
               ,
               which
               is
               guarded
               by
               a
               
                 viscous
                 Substance
              
               ,
               lest
               rude
               and
               violent
               Percussions
               should
               break
               it
               .
               There
               are
               wonderful
               Cavities
               for
               receiving
               the
               impressions
               and
               beatings
               upon
               this
               Membrane
               ,
               for
               reverberating
               them
               ,
               for
               modifying
               and
               distinguishing
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               be
               clearly
               understood
               .
               All
               which
               can
               be
               ascribed
               to
               nothing
               less
               than
               infinite
               Wisdom
               ,
               which
               contrived
               the
               Eye
               ,
               to
               give
               us
               the
               most
               delightful
               Prospect
               of
               the
               most
               pleasant
               Scenes
               of
               the
               
                 Divine
                 Opera
              
               ;
               and
               which
               formed
               the
               Ear
               to
               entertain
               us
               with
               the
               sweet
               Notes
               which
               the
               most
               Melodious
               
                 feathered
                 Chorus
              
               Sing
               to
               the
               Praises
               of
               their
               Creator
               ,
               and
               especially
               that
               by
               these
               means
               our
               Souls
               ,
               tho'
               strictly
               chained
               to
               ,
               and
               closely
               detained
               in
               the
               Body
               ,
               may
               be
               capable
               of
               communicating
               their
               Thoughts
               to
               one
               another
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Which
               leads
               me
               to
               the
               internal
               and
               
                 intellectual
                 Faculties
              
               ;
               the
               vast
               Capacity
               of
               the
               Mind
               ,
               the
               quick
               and
               lively
               force
               of
               the
               Imagination
               ,
               the
               incomprehensible
               Store-house
               of
               the
               Memory
               ,
               where
               Myriads
               of
               things
               are
               laid
               up
               without
               any
               Confusion
               ,
               but
               ranged
               in
               that
               good
               order
               ,
               as
               a
               very
               Thought
               can
               produce
               them
               in
               a
               Moment
               .
               This
               is
               a
               large
               Subject
               ,
               I
               dare
               not
               attempt
               it
               ,
               lest
               I
               be
               carried
               too
               far
               ,
               or
               should
               utter
               things
               not
               so
               obvious
               ,
               or
               which
               might
               occasion
               debate
               .
               I
               only
               mark
               the
               excellency
               and
               usefulness
               of
               
                 these
                 Faculties
              
               ,
               which
               every
               one
               can
               understand
               .
               It
               is
               by
               the
               means
               of
               these
               that
               we
               think
               ,
               reason
               ,
               discourse
               ,
               arrive
               at
               Wisdom
               and
               Knowledge
               ,
               by
               comparing
               things
               together
               ,
               considering
               their
               mutual
               Relations
               ,
               by
               Judging
               the
               present
               from
               what
               is
               past
               ,
               by
               running
               the
               Effects
               up
               to
               their
               Cause
               ,
               and
               by
               taking
               measures
               ,
               both
               of
               Natural
               and
               Moral
               Events
               and
               Productions
               ,
               from
               the
               Nature
               and
               Conjunction
               of
               Causes
               .
               By
               all
               which
               method
               and
               manner
               of
               reasoning
               ,
               we
               constantly
               find
               that
               
                 every
                 thing
                 must
                 have
                 a
                 
                 Cause
                 ,
              
               for
               
                 nothing
                 can
                 produce
                 nothing
              
               ;
               nor
               can
               any
               thing
               give
               to
               another
               the
               perfection
               which
               it self
               wants
               .
               Motion
               must
               have
               a
               Mover
               :
               Life
               must
               proceed
               from
               something
               that
               Lives
               ,
               and
               Art
               and
               Contrivance
               from
               one
               or
               other
               that
               understands
               the
               same
               ;
               and
               consequently
               the
               whole
               System
               of
               our
               Reason
               must
               be
               overturned
               ,
               the
               first
               Principles
               of
               Knowledge
               rejected
               ,
               and
               the
               clearest
               Perception
               denied
               ,
               if
               
                 he
                 who
                 planted
                 the
                 Ear
                 did
                 not
                 hear
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 who
                 formed
                 the
                 Eye
                 did
                 not
                 see
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 who
                 teacheth
                 man
                 Knowledge
                 doth
                 not
                 know
                 .
              
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               if
               the
               Author
               of
               our
               Being
               be
               not
               infinitely
               .
               Wise
               and
               Powerful
               ,
               to
               which
               all
               Mankind
               have
               given
               their
               consent
               ;
               for
               as
               the
               Latin
               Orator
               ,
               and
               some
               others
               have
               observed
               ,
               there
               was
               never
               yet
               found
               any
               Nation
               or
               People
               who
               did
               not
               acknowledge
               a
               God.
               
            
             
               I
               crave
               leave
               to
               add
               some
               few
               Thoughts
               more
               for
               evincing
               this
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               One
               is
               taken
               from
               the
               wonderful
               Contrivance
               of
               
                 nourishing
                 the
                 Body
              
               ,
               and
               supplying
               all
               its
               Parts
               .
               Many
               rare
               Inventions
               have
               been
               ruined
               ,
               because
               they
               could
               not
               be
               sustained
               or
               repaired
               :
               When
               the
               secret
               Springs
               broke
               ,
               they
               perished
               ;
               and
               what
               a
               trouble
               is
               it
               to
               uphold
               the
               Machines
               of
               Humane
               Contrivance
               ,
               or
               to
               keep
               them
               a
               going
               ?
               But
               as
               the
               Author
               of
               our
               Being
               did
               foresee
               that
               our
               Bodies
               were
               liable
               to
               decay
               ,
               and
               did
               waste
               themselves
               by
               acting
               and
               moving
               ;
               so
               he
               has
               most
               wisely
               provided
               against
               that
               Evil
               ,
               and
               has
               laid
               down
               a
               wonderful
               easie
               Method
               of
               sending
               Recruits
               to
               all
               the
               Parts
               ,
               far
               and
               near
               ;
               nay
               ,
               even
               to
               these
               which
               are
               wrap'd
               up
               in
               the
               Heart
               of
               others
               ,
               without
               doing
               prejudice
               to
               the
               surrounding
               Vessels
               ,
               which
               is
               by
               receiving
               a
               little
               proper
               Food
               into
               the
               Mouth
               ,
               from
               whence
               after
               chewing
               and
               mastigation
               ,
               it
               is
               conveyed
               into
               the
               Stomach
               ,
               where
               it
               is
               digested
               into
               a
               liquid
               Substance
               ,
               whether
               by
               heat
               or
               acidity
               ,
               or
               both
               ,
               or
               by
               the
               motion
               of
               the
               Stomach
               it self
               ,
               we
               shall
               not
               debate
               .
               But
               however
               it
               be
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               speedy
               Dissolution
               of
               what
               comes
               there
               ,
               and
               a
               better
               Se●retion
               or
               Separation
               of
               the
               
                 different
                 Substances
              
               after
               Dissolution
               ,
               
               than
               can
               be
               by
               the
               most
               expert
               Chymist
               .
               Which
               Preparation
               being
               made
               ,
               it
               is
               instantly
               discharged
               into
               Pipes
               and
               Canals
               ,
               of
               different
               sizes
               ,
               and
               strangely
               intersected
               ,
               which
               supply
               every
               Part
               with
               what
               is
               necessary
               ;
               so
               that
               the
               remote
               Parts
               are
               not
               neglected
               ,
               nor
               the
               nearer
               ones
               sooner
               supplied
               :
               all
               are
               equally
               provided
               and
               taken
               care
               of
               ,
               and
               at
               the
               same
               instant
               refreshed
               .
               When
               the
               Body
               is
               faint
               and
               feeble
               ,
               seems
               to
               have
               lost
               all
               its
               Spirits
               ,
               and
               upon
               the
               point
               of
               expiring
               ,
               how
               suddenly
               doth
               a
               little
               Food
               recover
               it
               ?
               how
               soon
               is
               its
               colour
               renewed
               ?
               and
               how
               instantly
               doth
               it
               begin
               to
               exert
               strength
               and
               vigour
               ?
               should
               this
               be
               passed
               over
               because
               common
               ?
               should
               it
               be
               slighted
               because
               ordinary
               ?
               should
               we
               not
               regard
               this
               wonderful
               Device
               ,
               by
               which
               our
               Life
               is
               maintained
               from
               Day
               to
               Day
               ?
               Methinks
               ,
               those
               who
               are
               so
               well
               pleased
               with
               Eating
               and
               Drinking
               ,
               should
               thank
               the
               Contrivance
               .
               Upon
               this
               is
               founded
               the
               Custom
               of
               asking
               a
               
                 Blessing
                 before
                 Meat
              
               ,
               and
               of
               
                 giving
                 Thanks
                 after
              
               ;
               and
               to
               say
               the
               truth
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               only
               laudable
               ,
               but
               more
               reasonable
               and
               necessary
               than
               is
               commonly
               believed
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               And
               as
               the
               
                 Nourishment
                 of
                 the
                 Body
              
               doth
               ascribe
               Wisdom
               to
               its
               Author
               ,
               so
               both
               his
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               doth
               appear
               in
               its
               Generation
               .
               What
               an
               unlikely
               beginning
               has
               it
               ?
               how
               unaccountable
               that
               an
               
                 homogeneous
                 fluid
              
               should
               be
               the
               foundation
               of
               such
               an
               
                 hetterogeneous
                 solid
              
               ?
               We
               are
               sure
               it
               is
               ,
               but
               how
               it
               comes
               to
               be
               cannot
               be
               comprehended
               .
               The
               manner
               of
               this
               Production
               is
               as
               much
               hid
               from
               our
               Understanding
               ,
               as
               the
               place
               from
               our
               Eyes
               .
               The
               wisest
               Philosophers
               are
               but
               Children
               here
               ;
               their
               Principles
               of
               Mechanism
               can
               give
               no
               light
               to
               this
               Affair
               ;
               all
               they
               say
               ,
               is
               but
               a
               heap
               of
               fanciful
               and
               groundless
               Conjectures
               .
               Nor
               do
               I
               believe
               the
               sole
               Power
               of
               what
               is
               called
               Nature
               sufficient
               ;
               there
               must
               be
               the
               guidance
               of
               an
               intelligent
               Spirit
               ,
               to
               regulate
               Nature
               ,
               and
               to
               see
               it
               perform
               its
               Duty
               .
               As
               in
               a
               Watch
               ,
               all
               the
               Wheels
               and
               Parts
               have
               a
               mutual
               dependance
               on
               each
               other
               ,
               and
               do
               regulate
               one
               another's
               Motions
               ,
               and
               cannot
               move
               without
               the
               Spring
               :
               nor
               this
               ,
               unless
               it
               be
               wound
               up
               by
               some
               Hand
               :
               
               So
               there
               is
               a
               mutual
               dependency
               among
               the
               Parts
               of
               the
               Body
               :
               They
               must
               be
               all
               formed
               at
               once
               ,
               and
               must
               all
               perform
               their
               Functions
               together
               ,
               otherwise
               not
               any
               of
               them
               can
               act
               or
               move
               .
               The
               
                 Circulation
                 of
                 the
                 Blood
              
               is
               the
               Cause
               of
               
                 Animal
                 Motion
              
               ,
               or
               absolutely
               necessary
               to
               it
               ,
               and
               the
               means
               of
               Nourishment
               .
               The
               Blood
               cannot
               circulate
               without
               the
               
                 Motion
                 of
                 the
                 Heart
              
               ,
               nor
               the
               Heart
               move
               without
               
                 Animal
                 Spirits
              
               :
               Nor
               are
               
                 Animal
                 Spirits
              
               formed
               but
               by
               the
               Circulation
               and
               Secretion
               of
               the
               Blood
               ;
               therefore
               there
               must
               be
               some
               supervenient
               Power
               to
               influence
               them
               all
               
                 simul
                 &
                 semel
              
               ,
               to
               breathe
               Life
               into
               them
               ,
               and
               to
               set
               them
               a
               going
               .
               And
               if
               it
               be
               said
               that
               this
               is
               now
               performed
               by
               the
               Blood
               and
               Spirits
               of
               the
               Mother
               ,
               which
               circulate
               in
               the
               soetus
               ,
               yet
               the
               Argument
               holds
               still
               against
               the
               formation
               of
               the
               
                 first
                 Man
              
               ,
               without
               supernatural
               Aid
               ;
               which
               makes
               out
               my
               purpose
               ,
               and
               which
               is
               agreeable
               to
               the
               account
               we
               have
               of
               Man's
               Creation
               in
               Genesis
               ,
               where
               it
               is
               said
               ,
               that
               God
               
                 formed
                 Man
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Ground
                 ,
              
               and
               then
               
                 breathed
                 into
                 his
                 Nostrils
                 the
                 breath
                 of
                 Life
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               by
               his
               Almighty
               Power
               he
               wrought
               a
               lumpish
               piece
               of
               Earth
               into
               that
               wonderful
               Machine
               of
               Man's
               Body
               :
               But
               the
               Creation
               and
               Conjunction
               of
               those
               external
               and
               internal
               Parts
               ,
               not
               being
               sufficient
               to
               give
               it
               Life
               and
               Motion
               ;
               he
               also
               afterwards
               inspired
               this
               ,
               by
               a
               second
               Supernatural
               act
               of
               breathing
               into
               him
               .
               But
               to
               leave
               Philosophizing
               ,
               and
               to
               return
               to
               our
               Subject
               ,
               how
               doth
               the
               unsuitable
               and
               improbable
               matter
               from
               which
               we
               proceed
               ,
               argue
               the
               Almighty
               Power
               of
               him
               who
               contriv'd
               it
               ?
               And
               was
               it
               possible
               without
               infinite
               Wisdom
               ,
               to
               provide
               so
               wonderfully
               for
               the
               Nourishment
               and
               Safety
               of
               the
               Child
               during
               the
               Nine
               Months
               that
               it
               continues
               in
               the
               Womb
               ?
               from
               which
               Prison
               it
               is
               also
               delievered
               in
               a
               strange
               manner
               ,
               which
               merits
               Admiration
               .
               When
               all
               these
               things
               are
               considered
               ,
               how
               much
               truth
               and
               force
               is
               in
               that
               divine
               Hymn
               of
               David
               ,
               where
               he
               Commemorates
               his
               Generation
               and
               Production
               ,
               and
               where
               he
               saith
               ,
               
                 God
                 hath
                 possessed
                 my
                 Reins
                 ,
                 thou
                 hast
                 covered
                 me
                 in
                 my
                 Mothers
                 Womb.
                 I
                 will
                 praise
                 thee
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 fearfully
                 and
                 
                 wonderfully
                 made
                 ;
                 Marvellous
                 are
                 thy
                 Works
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 my
                 Soul
                 knoweth
                 right
                 well
                 .
                 My
                 substance
                 was
                 not
                 hid
                 from
                 thee
                 when
                 I
                 was
                 made
                 in
                 secret
                 ,
                 and
                 curiously
                 wrought
                 in
                 the
                 lowest
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 .
                 Thine
                 eyes
                 did
                 see
                 my
                 substance
                 yet
                 being
                 imperfect
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 thy
                 Book
                 all
                 my
                 Members
                 were
                 written
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 continuance
                 were
                 fashioned
                 ,
                 when
                 as
                 yet
                 there
                 was
                 none
                 of
                 them
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               139.
               13
               ,
               
                 &c.
                 
                 Iob
              
               also
               hath
               spoken
               as
               Philosophically
               ,
               and
               much
               more
               truely
               ,
               than
               any
               who
               hath
               attempted
               to
               explain
               the
               formation
               of
               the
               foetus
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               a
               very
               few
               words
               ;
               thus
               ,
               
                 Hast
                 not
                 thou
                 poured
                 me
                 out
                 as
                 Milk
                 ,
                 and
                 curdled
                 me
                 like
                 cheese
                 ?
                 Thou
                 hast
                 cloathed
                 me
                 with
                 Skin
                 ,
                 and
                 fenced
                 me
                 with
                 Bones
                 and
                 Sinews
                 .
                 Thou
                 hast
                 granted
                 me
                 life
                 and
                 favour
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 visitation
                 hath
                 preserved
                 my
                 Spirit
                 ,
              
               Job
               10.
               10.
               
            
             
               Once
               more
               let
               it
               be
               considered
               how
               admirably
               each
               Part
               is
               fitted
               for
               the
               use
               to
               which
               it
               is
               destined
               :
               And
               as
               a
               great
               many
               perform
               their
               Motions
               without
               our
               concurrence
               ,
               so
               these
               external
               Members
               ,
               which
               are
               at
               the
               command
               of
               our
               will
               ,
               do
               follow
               our
               thoughts
               quickly
               and
               readily
               ,
               without
               previous
               Preparation
               ,
               or
               so
               much
               as
               a
               Minute
               of
               time
               intervening
               .
               Nothing
               is
               quicker
               than
               a
               Thought
               ,
               and
               yet
               as
               soon
               as
               we
               will
               it
               ,
               the
               Tongue
               speaks
               ,
               the
               Hand
               acts
               ,
               and
               the
               Feet
               walk
               ,
               &c.
               and
               all
               of
               them
               again
               cease
               their
               Motion
               just
               as
               we
               think
               it
               ;
               such
               a
               close
               dependence
               there
               is
               of
               these
               Members
               upon
               our
               Minds
               or
               Faculty
               of
               Thinking
               .
               One
               cannot
               Play
               well
               or
               distinctly
               upon
               any
               Instrument
               before
               he
               can
               distinguish
               the
               Strings
               ,
               and
               until
               he
               learn
               what
               touches
               are
               proper
               to
               make
               the
               different
               Notes
               .
               But
               we
               are
               not
               taught
               the
               distinct
               and
               proper
               Muscles
               ,
               Nerves
               ,
               &c.
               by
               which
               our
               Members
               move
               :
               Nor
               do
               we
               so
               much
               as
               understand
               how
               they
               move
               them
               ,
               and
               yet
               all
               is
               done
               ,
               as
               if
               we
               had
               a
               distinct
               and
               perfect
               Knowledge
               ,
               and
               that
               too
               with
               the
               swiftness
               of
               our
               Thoughts
               ;
               for
               our
               Thoughts
               and
               these
               Members
               keep
               pace
               together
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               no
               obstruction
               and
               hinderance
               ;
               and
               if
               it
               were
               not
               so
               ,
               we
               should
               be
               under
               great
               Disadvantages
               .
               I
               could
               bring
               several
               other
               instances
               to
               prove
               ,
               that
               the
               Structure
               and
               
               Oeconomy
               of
               the
               Humane
               Body
               is
               a
               most
               wonderful
               and
               artificial
               Contrivance
               ,
               which
               can
               be
               ascribed
               to
               nothing
               less
               than
               infinite
               Power
               and
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               consequently
               that
               it
               is
               a
               Demonstration
               of
               a
               Deity
               .
            
          
           
             
               ESSAY
               VI.
               
            
             
               Evidences
               of
               a
               Deity
               in
               other
               Parts
               of
               the
               World.
               
            
             
               IT
               hath
               been
               made
               appear
               that
               every
               one
               of
               us
               carrieth
               in
               us
               ,
               and
               about
               us
               ,
               a
               Demonstration
               of
               the
               Deity
               .
               Whenever
               we
               look
               upon
               our selves
               ,
               we
               see
               him
               ;
               for
               we
               read
               his
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               in
               our
               Make
               and
               Frame
               ,
               in
               our
               first
               Production
               and
               daily
               Preservation
               ,
               and
               by
               both
               our
               external
               and
               internal
               Senses
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               But
               if
               one
               Evidence
               be
               not
               sufficient
               for
               so
               weighty
               a
               Point
               ,
               let
               us
               interrogate
               other
               Creatures
               ,
               and
               they
               will
               all
               unanimously
               answer
               the
               same
               thing
               .
               We
               are
               indeed
               a
               wonderful
               Work
               ,
               but
               we
               are
               not
               the
               only
               Work
               of
               our
               Maker
               ,
               he
               hath
               framed
               other
               Pieces
               besides
               ;
               which
               no
               less
               manifest
               his
               great
               Power
               and
               unsearchable
               Wisdom
               .
               It
               is
               evident
               that
               he
               who
               made
               us
               ,
               made
               other
               things
               ,
               and
               had
               both
               of
               us
               in
               his
               view
               when
               he
               made
               either
               .
               What
               should
               be
               the
               use
               of
               an
               Eye
               ,
               if
               there
               was
               not
               Light
               ?
               And
               to
               what
               purpose
               should
               there
               be
               Light
               ,
               if
               there
               was
               no
               Eye
               to
               see
               it
               ,
               nor
               any
               Creature
               to
               discern
               the
               Beauties
               which
               it
               discovers
               .
               He
               then
               ,
               who
               formed
               the
               Eye
               ,
               created
               the
               Light
               ;
               and
               he
               who
               ordained
               Light
               ,
               resolved
               to
               have
               a
               Creature
               capable
               of
               Seeing
               .
               We
               cannot
               live
               without
               Food
               ;
               nor
               can
               the
               Earth
               afford
               us
               necessary
               Food
               without
               the
               warm
               and
               kind
               influences
               of
               the
               Sun
               :
               that
               therefore
               there
               should
               be
               a
               Sun
               to
               render
               the
               Earth
               fruitful
               ,
               by
               its
               benign
               influences
               ,
               could
               not
               be
               Chance
               ,
               but
               Contrivance
               ,
               and
               this
               proves
               an
               intelligent
               Being
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               If
               there
               was
               but
               one
               instance
               that
               looked
               like
               Art
               and
               Design
               ,
               we
               should
               not
               lay
               much
               stress
               on
               't
               ;
               we
               might
               be
               tempted
               to
               think
               that
               was
               only
               a
               lucky
               hit
               of
               
                 blind
                 Fortune
              
               .
               But
               we
               have
               many
               Thousand
               instances
               in
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               in
               the
               Earth
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Seas
               ,
               in
               both
               the
               Vegetable
               and
               Animal
               World
               ,
               where
               each
               Individual
               is
               not
               only
               wonderfully
               contrived
               in
               reference
               to
               the
               Ends
               and
               Uses
               of
               its
               particular
               being
               ;
               but
               also
               in
               reference
               to
               one
               another
               :
               for
               they
               are
               admirably
               fitted
               to
               one
               another
               ,
               and
               are
               made
               to
               serve
               other
               most
               wisely
               :
               The
               
                 Vniversal
                 Frame
              
               is
               as
               a
               huge
               Machine
               ;
               the
               vast
               Orbs
               above
               ,
               and
               this
               in
               which
               we
               dwell
               ,
               as
               so
               many
               Wheels
               and
               suitable
               Parts
               ,
               which
               the
               Artist
               hath
               most
               skilfully
               joined
               ,
               that
               not
               only
               each
               may
               have
               its
               proper
               Motion
               easily
               ,
               but
               that
               the
               particular
               Motion
               of
               one
               may
               be
               beneficial
               to
               another
               ,
               and
               all
               of
               them
               serviceable
               to
               the
               general
               Design
               ;
               no
               part
               can
               jolt
               out
               of
               its
               place
               ,
               nor
               interfere
               with
               another
               .
               A
               Fleet
               of
               500
               Sail
               can
               hardly
               keep
               together
               without
               falling
               foul
               on
               each
               other
               ;
               and
               behold
               those
               innumerable
               and
               prodigious
               Orbs
               move
               continually
               in
               their
               immense
               space
               ,
               without
               rubbing
               ,
               tho'
               they
               naturally
               gravitate
               towards
               one
               another
               ,
               which
               shews
               that
               they
               are
               steered
               by
               a
               most
               dexterous
               Pilot.
               And
               was
               it
               possible
               to
               put
               so
               many
               vast
               Orbs
               in
               motion
               without
               Omnipotency
               ?
               We
               may
               as
               well
               imagine
               that
               an
               Ant
               or
               Worm
               may
               cause
               an
               Earthquake
               .
               Certainly
               
                 the
                 Heavens
                 declare
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Firmament
                 sheweth
                 his
                 handy-work
                 .
                 Day
                 unto
                 Day
                 uttereth
                 speech
                 ,
                 and
                 Night
                 unto
                 Night
                 sheweth
                 knowledge
                 ;
                 nor
                 is
                 there
                 any
                 Language
                 where
                 their
                 Voice
                 is
                 not
                 heard
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               though
               the
               several
               Nations
               of
               the
               World
               speak
               with
               different
               Tongues
               ,
               which
               makes
               them
               that
               they
               cannot
               understand
               each
               other
               ;
               yet
               the
               Heavenly
               Bodies
               ,
               by
               their
               regular
               and
               useful
               Motions
               ,
               speak
               an
               
                 Vniversal
                 Language
              
               intelligible
               to
               all
               of
               common
               Sense
               ,
               for
               convincing
               them
               that
               they
               are
               the
               Work
               and
               Contrivance
               of
               an
               Almighty
               and
               most
               Wise
               God.
               
            
             
             
               3.
               
               Again
               ,
               Let
               us
               consider
               the
               Vegetable
               and
               
                 Animal
                 World
              
               as
               a
               well-govern'd
               Common-wealth
               ,
               where
               the
               People
               are
               wisely
               employed
               according
               to
               their
               Stations
               and
               Capacities
               ,
               whose
               different
               Employments
               breed
               no
               Confusion
               ,
               but
               do
               preserve
               the
               Order
               and
               Peace
               of
               the
               State
               ,
               and
               promote
               its
               Wealth
               ,
               Power
               ,
               Strength
               and
               Glory
               .
               The
               Earth
               sends
               forth
               Trees
               ,
               Herbs
               ,
               and
               Plants
               of
               all
               Sorts
               for
               Food
               or
               Medicine
               ,
               to
               serve
               the
               Necessities
               or
               Advantages
               of
               humane
               Life
               ;
               and
               all
               these
               spring
               up
               in
               their
               proper
               Situation
               ,
               as
               if
               planted
               by
               the
               Hand
               of
               some
               skillful
               Gardner
               ,
               which
               are
               sorted
               into
               different
               Climates
               ,
               to
               whet
               and
               encourage
               Industry
               ,
               for
               engaging
               and
               securing
               a
               good
               Correspondence
               amongst
               Men.
               Animals
               are
               destined
               to
               several
               Uses
               ,
               and
               are
               assigned
               to
               such
               Regions
               as
               are
               proper
               to
               their
               Nature
               and
               these
               Uses
               .
               Fowls
               have
               the
               Air
               to
               rove
               in
               ;
               Fishes
               sport
               themselves
               in
               the
               Waters
               ;
               and
               Quadrupedes
               walk
               on
               firm
               Land
               ;
               Camels
               are
               allotted
               to
               Arabia
               ,
               where
               there
               is
               no
               Water
               :
               Salvage
               Beasts
               are
               sent
               to
               Desarts
               ,
               where
               they
               may
               do
               less
               Harm
               ;
               and
               they
               who
               are
               mild
               ,
               tractable
               ,
               and
               useful
               ,
               are
               kept
               amongst
               Men.
               Such
               Animals
               as
               are
               dangerous
               to
               others
               ,
               or
               of
               less
               Use
               ,
               are
               generally
               barren
               and
               unfruitful
               ,
               whereas
               other
               Kinds
               do
               multiply
               in
               Abundance
               :
               For
               there
               would
               be
               no
               Living
               in
               the
               World
               if
               Lions
               ,
               Tigres
               ,
               Bears
               ,
               Wolves
               ,
               Foxes
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               ,
               were
               as
               numerous
               as
               Sheep
               and
               Oxen.
               And
               the
               Air
               should
               shortly
               be
               dispeopled
               of
               its
               feathered
               Inhabitants
               ,
               if
               the
               Vulture
               ,
               Eagle
               ,
               and
               Hawk
               ,
               could
               draw
               out
               Armies
               like
               the
               Flocks
               of
               Crows
               and
               Pigeons
               .
               Now
               who
               impos'd
               these
               hard
               Laws
               upon
               those
               Beasts
               and
               Birds
               of
               Prey
               ?
               What
               Pharaoh
               forbad
               them
               to
               multiply
               to
               the
               Danger
               of
               the
               State
               ?
               Is
               it
               possible
               that
               the
               Terrour
               of
               Man
               could
               have
               made
               them
               drown
               or
               destroy
               their
               Brood
               ?
               Was
               it
               by
               the
               Art
               of
               Man
               that
               Foxes
               ,
               Wolves
               ,
               &c.
               produce
               all
               Dogs
               ,
               and
               almost
               but
               one
               Bitch
               at
               every
               Litter
               ,
               whereas
               other
               Animals
               bring
               forth
               Males
               and
               Females
               equally
               .
               Can
               this
               proceed
               from
               any
               ,
               but
               the
               wise
               and
               potent
               Author
               of
               all
               things
               ?
               But
               
               to
               go
               on
               ;
               the
               climbing
               Goats
               feed
               upon
               the
               Rocks
               ;
               the
               simple
               Sheep
               and
               unweildy
               Oxen
               graze
               in
               the
               Valleys
               ,
               and
               the
               frighted
               Deer
               are
               removed
               to
               range
               in
               the
               Woods
               .
               The
               fierce
               and
               undaunted
               Horse
               is
               appointed
               for
               the
               Battle
               ;
               the
               Ox
               to
               Labour
               ,
               the
               Sheep
               for
               Food
               and
               Cloathing
               ;
               the
               Hare
               and
               Partridge
               for
               Diversion
               ,
               and
               the
               Hound
               and
               the
               Hawk
               for
               catching
               them
               .
               Thus
               there
               is
               Use
               and
               Design
               to
               be
               seen
               in
               every
               Creature
               ,
               nay
               ,
               even
               in
               Insects
               and
               creeping
               Things
               ,
               which
               we
               look
               upon
               with
               so
               much
               Contempt
               .
               The
               very
               common
               dull
               Worm
               hath
               its
               Use
               ;
               and
               lest
               they
               should
               be
               over
               numerous
               ,
               the
               blind
               Mole
               is
               given
               to
               check
               them
               .
               But
               how
               useful
               is
               the
               Silk-Worm
               ?
               What
               a
               Treasure
               doth
               it
               yield
               ?
               And
               how
               splendid
               are
               Men
               by
               its
               Labour
               ?
               What
               might
               be
               said
               of
               the
               Bee
               ?
               It
               s
               Conduct
               and
               Industry
               are
               admirable
               ;
               like
               an
               excellent
               Chymist
               ,
               it
               extracts
               the
               mellous
               Juice
               from
               the
               Herbs
               and
               Flowers
               ,
               but
               does
               not
               spoil
               their
               Beauty
               and
               Figure
               ,
               as
               Chymists
               do
               by
               their
               Operations
               .
               It
               admirably
               composes
               Wax
               ,
               which
               serves
               to
               many
               Uses
               ,
               and
               yet
               conceals
               from
               Mankind
               both
               the
               Matter
               and
               Art
               of
               that
               Composition
               ;
               for
               it
               is
               not
               yet
               discovered
               :
               For
               they
               are
               mistaken
               ,
               who
               think
               that
               with
               which
               their
               Thighs
               are
               loaded
               is
               the
               Substance
               of
               Wax
               ;
               for
               this
               is
               of
               different
               Colours
               ,
               whereas
               the
               Combs
               at
               first
               are
               almost
               a
               pure
               white
               :
               And
               besides
               ,
               I
               my self
               have
               observed
               several
               Cells
               in
               the
               Combs
               ,
               filled
               with
               that
               Matter
               which
               is
               upon
               their
               Thighs
               ,
               but
               for
               what
               Use
               I
               have
               not
               yet
               discover'd
               ,
               except
               it
               be
               for
               hatching
               their
               Eggs.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               If
               any
               Object
               ,
               the
               Locust
               and
               Caterpillar
               ;
               they
               may
               well
               as
               upbraid
               the
               Prudence
               and
               Policy
               of
               a
               State
               for
               keeping
               Forces
               ,
               which
               generally
               are
               made
               up
               of
               very
               rude
               and
               insolent
               People
               ;
               for
               these
               are
               a
               Party
               of
               the
               Army
               of
               the
               Lord
               of
               Hosts
               ,
               which
               he
               sends
               out
               at
               his
               Pleasure
               ,
               to
               chastise
               the
               Pride
               ,
               Wantonness
               ,
               Ingratitude
               ,
               and
               Forgetfulness
               of
               Man
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               only
               disorderly
               Part
               of
               the
               Creation
               :
               He
               only
               breaks
               the
               Peace
               ,
               and
               moves
               Sedition
               in
               this
               excellent
               and
               large
               Common-Wealth
               ;
               and
               
               he
               does
               it
               to
               his
               own
               Prejudice
               ,
               as
               generally
               all
               rebellious
               and
               seditious
               People
               use
               to
               do
               :
               But
               his
               unruly
               and
               disorderly
               Behaviour
               is
               no
               Ground
               of
               impeaching
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               the
               Almighty
               Head
               of
               this
               great
               Common-Wealth
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               far
               less
               than
               the
               rebellious
               and
               seditious
               practising
               of
               Subjects
               is
               chargeable
               upon
               the
               Government
               ,
               who
               oftentimes
               (
               as
               all
               Histories
               inform
               us
               )
               run
               into
               it
               without
               just
               Provocation
               ,
               through
               their
               own
               Wantonness
               or
               Ignorance
               ,
               or
               foolish
               Fears
               ,
               or
               the
               evil
               Counsel
               of
               cunning
               Men
               ,
               who
               make
               them
               misapprehend
               some
               things
               ,
               and
               beguile
               them
               with
               a
               Pretence
               of
               making
               other
               things
               better
               ,
               which
               in
               the
               end
               turns
               worse
               .
               All
               the
               Disorders
               in
               this
               Universal
               State
               ,
               which
               is
               made
               up
               of
               all
               Creatures
               ,
               proceed
               from
               these
               very
               Causes
               ,
               which
               give
               Disturbance
               to
               particular
               humane
               States
               .
               If
               I
               may
               be
               allowed
               to
               borrow
               a
               little
               Light
               from
               Revelation
               ,
               when
               I
               reason
               against
               Atheism
               :
               The
               Devil
               or
               Lucifer
               being
               proud
               ,
               and
               full
               of
               himself
               ,
               became
               disaffected
               ,
               and
               turn'd
               Male-content
               ;
               and
               to
               make
               himself
               a
               Party
               ,
               he
               addressed
               to
               Man
               ,
               preying
               upon
               his
               Weakness
               and
               Inadvertency
               ,
               whom
               having
               once
               deluded
               ,
               he
               still
               keeps
               into
               that
               rebellious
               Interest
               ,
               by
               suggesting
               evil
               Thoughts
               ,
               cherishing
               their
               Corruption
               and
               bad
               Inclinations
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               Some
               may
               say
               ,
               That
               this
               overturns
               all
               we
               have
               said
               about
               Design
               and
               Contrivance
               ,
               seeing
               it
               seems
               to
               prove
               a
               grand
               Mistake
               in
               the
               Master-piece
               .
               If
               the
               World
               ,
               the
               several
               Parts
               in
               it
               ,
               and
               the
               Conjunction
               of
               these
               Parts
               be
               the
               work
               of
               infinite
               Wisdom
               ,
               would
               one
               have
               been
               made
               to
               disturb
               all
               the
               rest
               ,
               to
               disorder
               the
               whole
               Contrivance
               ?
               Or
               would
               the
               Power
               and
               Dominion
               over
               these
               have
               been
               committed
               to
               one
               altogether
               unqualified
               and
               unworthy
               of
               it
               ,
               as
               Man
               seems
               to
               be
               ?
               Or
               must
               it
               be
               said
               ,
               That
               the
               contriving
               of
               vegetative
               and
               sensitive
               things
               was
               with
               in
               the
               Skill
               of
               this
               wise
               Being
               ,
               but
               that
               rational
               things
               ,
               or
               what
               is
               of
               a
               higher
               Nature
               ,
               is
               above
               his
               Reach
               ;
               and
               therefore
               he
               missed
               his
               Aim
               ,
               and
               came
               short
               of
               his
               Design
               ?
               No
               ,
               none
               of
               these
               things
               follow
               .
               The
               Almighty
               God
               would
               shew
               his
               Power
               and
               
               Wisdom
               by
               the
               creating
               an
               Infinite
               Variety
               of
               Beings
               ,
               endued
               with
               all
               Degrees
               of
               Perfections
               ;
               and
               therefore
               one
               who
               was
               to
               be
               free
               ,
               to
               be
               entrusted
               with
               the
               Government
               of
               himself
               ,
               and
               who
               was
               to
               be
               under
               no
               other
               Force
               than
               that
               of
               Reason
               and
               Truth
               ,
               nor
               to
               have
               any
               other
               Tyes
               than
               that
               of
               Gratitude
               and
               Interest
               ,
               which
               he
               might
               know
               sufficiently
               by
               the
               Exercise
               of
               his
               intellectual
               Faculties
               ,
               and
               the
               Application
               of
               his
               Mind
               to
               what
               is
               always
               before
               him
               .
               Other
               things
               could
               not
               be
               left
               to
               themselves
               ;
               being
               endued
               with
               no
               Sense
               or
               Reason
               of
               their
               own
               ,
               they
               are
               still
               guided
               by
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               their
               Maker
               ;
               and
               hence
               it
               is
               that
               they
               never
               step
               aside
               ,
               but
               always
               move
               regularly
               :
               Infinite
               Wisdom
               appears
               in
               all
               their
               Motions
               ,
               and
               from
               this
               it
               is
               that
               some
               Creatures
               without
               Sense
               ,
               and
               others
               which
               have
               no
               more
               than
               Sense
               ,
               do
               out-do
               all
               the
               works
               of
               Men
               :
               Without
               Understanding
               they
               know
               the
               Rules
               of
               Architecture
               ,
               the
               Nature
               and
               Uses
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               the
               Means
               of
               compassing
               them
               better
               than
               Man
               with
               all
               his
               Reason
               ,
               and
               after
               all
               his
               Study
               and
               Application
               :
               Nay
               ,
               the
               Perfection
               of
               
                 humane
                 Art
              
               is
               but
               a
               faint
               Imitation
               of
               what
               other
               Creatures
               do
               by
               that
               which
               is
               called
               
                 Natural
                 Instinct
              
               ,
               which
               is
               truely
               the
               Guidance
               of
               that
               Infinite
               Wisdom
               which
               contrived
               them
               .
               Mens
               best
               Knowledge
               is
               but
               Experience
               and
               Observation
               from
               their
               inferiour
               Creatures
               .
               And
               as
               it
               thus
               appears
               ,
               that
               those
               Creatures
               are
               under
               the
               Management
               of
               their
               Maker
               ,
               whose
               Wisdom
               manifests
               it self
               in
               their
               Motions
               and
               Actings
               :
               So
               it
               is
               no
               Defect
               in
               this
               most
               perfect
               Wisdom
               ,
               that
               Men
               do
               not
               act
               perfectly
               or
               exactly
               right
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               left
               to
               their
               own
               Freedom
               ,
               and
               the
               Direction
               of
               an
               imperfect
               and
               limited
               Reason
               ,
               which
               yet
               was
               sufficient
               ,
               if
               they
               had
               adverted
               to
               the
               Marks
               and
               Instructions
               given
               them
               .
            
             
               As
               by
               Revelation
               we
               are
               assured
               that
               Man
               was
               at
               first
               made
               upright
               ,
               so
               there
               are
               Reasons
               and
               Prints
               to
               convince
               us
               of
               it
               without
               Revelation
               .
               And
               as
               he
               is
               endued
               with
               Perfections
               above
               others
               in
               this
               part
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               with
               intellectual
               Faculties
               which
               they
               want
               ,
               so
               
               it
               seems
               evident
               ,
               that
               all
               those
               other
               things
               were
               invented
               to
               be
               subject
               Matter
               for
               those
               intellectual
               Faculties
               to
               work
               upon
               .
               Pictures
               are
               not
               hang'd
               up
               but
               to
               be
               seen
               ,
               for
               they
               cannot
               talk
               together
               ;
               so
               neither
               can
               Plants
               or
               Beasts
               .
               This
               World
               therefore
               would
               have
               been
               but
               as
               a
               wast
               House
               ;
               tho'
               richly
               furnish'd
               ,
               yet
               it
               would
               have
               been
               altogether
               desolate
               of
               Inhabitants
               ,
               if
               there
               had
               been
               wanting
               one
               of
               Understanding
               and
               Judgment
               ,
               and
               capable
               of
               making
               wise
               Reflections
               on
               what
               there
               is
               in
               it
               .
               Man's
               Life
               would
               be
               very
               miserable
               if
               he
               had
               not
               the
               Service
               of
               those
               other
               Creatures
               ,
               and
               they
               would
               be
               useless
               if
               it
               were
               not
               with
               a
               Respect
               unto
               him
               .
               Either
               they
               were
               designed
               to
               administer
               into
               him
               ,
               or
               he
               was
               made
               to
               receive
               the
               Advantage
               which
               redounds
               from
               them
               :
               They
               are
               excellently
               fitted
               to
               one
               another
               ,
               which
               could
               only
               proceed
               from
               an
               intelligent
               Being
               of
               infinite
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               .
            
             
               Thus
               there
               are
               so
               many
               and
               so
               great
               Instances
               of
               Design
               and
               Contrivance
               ,
               that
               no
               thinking
               Man
               is
               able
               to
               resist
               this
               Faith
               in
               God.
               He
               who
               doth
               not
               admit
               this
               Faith
               ,
               must
               be
               strangely
               stupid
               ,
               and
               so
               much
               to
               be
               pitied
               ,
               or
               unreasonably
               obstinate
               ,
               and
               therefore
               exceeding
               censurable
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               I
               would
               ask
               such
               Persons
               what
               they
               would
               be
               at
               to
               satisfie
               them
               ?
               Do
               they
               require
               a
               Sight
               of
               God
               ?
               They
               may
               as
               reasonably
               ask
               to
               see
               a
               Voice
               ,
               to
               touch
               a
               Tune
               ,
               or
               to
               try
               the
               Objects
               of
               one
               Sense
               by
               another
               ,
               as
               Colours
               by
               the
               Ear
               ,
               and
               Odours
               by
               the
               Eye
               .
               Will
               they
               deny
               the
               intellectual
               Faculties
               of
               Perception
               ,
               Judgment
               ,
               Ratiocination
               ,
               Memory
               ,
               &c.
               to
               be
               in
               others
               ,
               because
               they
               have
               no
               immediate
               Intuition
               of
               them
               ?
               Is
               it
               not
               sufficient
               Demonstration
               ,
               that
               this
               ,
               or
               the
               other
               Man
               doth
               possess
               these
               Faculties
               ,
               when
               the
               one
               or
               the
               other
               sheweth
               the
               proper
               Signs
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               necessary
               Effects
               thereof
               may
               be
               perceived
               in
               his
               Discourse
               and
               Actions
               ?
               And
               what
               greater
               Demonstration
               would
               any
               have
               of
               an
               Almighty
               ,
               Intelligent
               Being
               ,
               than
               prodigious
               and
               infinite
               Instances
               of
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               ,
               such
               as
               the
               World
               every
               where
               presents
               us
               with
               !
               God's
               Essence
               is
               invisible
               ,
               
               at
               least
               to
               us
               .
               What
               Organs
               the
               Angels
               of
               Heaven
               have
               for
               beholding
               him
               ,
               we
               do
               not
               know
               ;
               but
               
                 he
                 dwelleth
                 in
                 a
                 Light
                 which
                 no
                 Man
                 can
                 approach
                 unto
                 ,
                 whom
                 no
                 Man
                 hath
                 seen
                 ,
                 nor
                 can
                 see
                 .
              
               But
               that
               which
               
                 may
                 be
                 known
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 manifest
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 hath
                 shew'd
                 it
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Invisible
                 things
                 of
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 Creation
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 are
                 clearly
                 seen
                 ,
                 being
                 understood
                 by
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 made
                 ,
                 even
                 his
                 eternal
                 Power
                 and
                 God-head
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 without
                 Excuse
                 ,
              
               viz.
               who
               doubt
               or
               deny
               a
               Deity
               ,
               or
               who
               are
               not
               perswaded
               of
               his
               Eternity
               ,
               Power
               ,
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               Goodness
               ,
               and
               who
               doth
               not
               glorifie
               him
               as
               such
               .
            
             
               7.
               
               If
               God
               was
               not
               eternal
               ,
               nothing
               could
               have
               been
               made
               ,
               for
               there
               was
               then
               nothing
               to
               have
               produced
               any
               thing
               ;
               therefore
               his
               eternal
               Existence
               is
               evidently
               proved
               by
               the
               Existence
               of
               other
               things
               ,
               which
               do
               not
               exist
               necessarily
               :
               And
               there
               is
               not
               any
               thing
               but
               himself
               which
               has
               
                 necessary
                 Existence
              
               included
               in
               its
               Idea
               .
               And
               though
               the
               creating
               of
               any
               one
               thing
               was
               a
               Demonstration
               of
               his
               Almighty
               Power
               and
               Wisdom
               ,
               because
               nothing
               less
               could
               produce
               any
               thing
               out
               of
               nothing
               ;
               yet
               he
               hath
               created
               innumerable
               things
               of
               vastly
               different
               Natures
               and
               Properties
               ,
               that
               by
               this
               infinite
               Diversity
               and
               Variety
               of
               Beings
               ,
               his
               infinite
               Power
               may
               be
               visible
               to
               those
               who
               are
               capable
               to
               perceive
               it
               .
               The
               Immensity
               of
               his
               Power
               appears
               in
               the
               Immensity
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               to
               which
               our
               very
               Imagination
               can
               prefix
               no
               Limits
               .
               *
               The
               Length
               
               and
               Greatness
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
               with
               the
               vast
               deep
               ,
               doth
               astonish
               us
               when
               we
               have
               it
               in
               our
               View
               ;
               but
               how
               little
               doth
               this
               Greatness
               appear
               ,
               when
               we
               lift
               up
               our
               Eyes
               to
               the
               Heavens
               and
               behold
               the
               innumerable
               Multitude
               of
               those
               shining
               Orbs
               ,
               Two
               of
               which
               ,
               viz.
               in
               the
               Panetary
               World
               ,
               are
               only
               less
               than
               the
               Earth
               ;
               and
               some
               of
               them
               ,
               not
               only
               many
               Thousands
               ,
               but
               Millions
               of
               times
               greater
               ,
               as
               we
               are
               assured
               by
               the
               Authority
               and
               Observation
               of
               Mathematicians
               ,
               and
               which
               ,
               without
               them
               ,
               we
               may
               rudely
               conjecture
               by
               their
               Appearance
               at
               so
               vast
               a
               Distance
               :
               By
               the
               help
               of
               Glasses
               we
               may
               discern
               many
               more
               Stars
               ,
               than
               what
               appear
               to
               the
               naked
               Eye
               .
               And
               there
               be
               very
               good
               Reason
               to
               believe
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               many
               more
               which
               Glasses
               cannot
               reach
               ;
               so
               that
               Imagination
               it self
               cannot
               grasp
               the
               Universe
               :
               And
               all
               our
               perceptive
               Faculties
               fail
               us
               when
               we
               offer
               to
               view
               the
               Extension
               of
               it
               .
               
                 Lo
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 we
                 see
                 are
                 but
                 Parts
                 of
                 his
                 Ways
                 ,
                 for
                 how
                 little
                 a
                 Portion
                 is
                 heard
                 of
                 him
                 ,
              
               saith
               Iob
               ,
               chap.
               26.
               14.
               
            
             
               8.
               
               How
               these
               celestial
               Orbs
               are
               filled
               and
               furnished
               ,
               we
               know
               not
               ;
               but
               we
               have
               very
               good
               Reason
               to
               believe
               ,
               That
               they
               are
               not
               wast
               and
               desolate
               Places
               ,
               or
               meer
               
                 Masses
                 of
                 Matter
              
               to
               fill
               up
               the
               immense
               Space
               of
               Vacuity
               .
               Without
               doubt
               they
               are
               admirably
               replenish'd
               by
               his
               Almighty
               Wisdom
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               this
               which
               is
               inhabited
               by
               us
               ,
               where
               are
               infinite
               Diversity
               of
               Instances
               ,
               for
               forming
               and
               enlarging
               in
               us
               an
               Idea
               of
               the
               God-head
               ,
               and
               to
               convince
               us
               that
               his
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               cannot
               be
               bounded
               .
               In
               one
               Place
               Matter
               lies
               heaped
               in
               
                 loose
                 Particles
              
               as
               Sand
               ,
               which
               can
               be
               easily
               separated
               ,
               nay
               ,
               blown
               asunder
               :
               In
               another
               Place
               it
               is
               kneaded
               like
               Dough
               ,
               we
               know
               not
               how
               ,
               as
               in
               Clay
               and
               such
               like
               Ground
               :
               Again
               ,
               it
               is
               both
               closely
               united
               ,
               and
               also
               hardned
               wonderfully
               ,
               as
               Stone
               ,
               of
               which
               there
               are
               divers
               sorts
               ,
               some
               of
               a
               bright
               and
               dazzling
               Lustre
               ,
               as
               the
               Diamond
               and
               Crystal
               ;
               other
               altogether
               Black
               ,
               or
               of
               an
               unspotted
               White
               ,
               or
               admirably
               variegated
               with
               different
               Colours
               ,
               as
               the
               several
               sorts
               of
               Marble
               .
               Sometimes
               this
               hardned
               Matter
               is
               combustible
               ,
               as
               Coal
               ;
               sometimes
               malleable
               ,
               as
               Metal
               ,
               which
               
               may
               be
               beat
               so
               thin
               ,
               that
               a
               very
               small
               Quantity
               of
               Gold
               could
               be
               made
               to
               cover
               the
               whole
               Surface
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
               as
               can
               be
               demonstrated
               from
               Leaf-Gold
               ,
               and
               the
               drawing
               of
               Gilded-Wire
               ;
               for
               a
               Grain
               Weight
               or
               two
               may
               be
               extended
               to
               some
               Thousand
               Ells
               of
               Length
               .
               Thus
               the
               Power
               of
               God
               doth
               wonderfully
               appear
               in
               the
               very
               Disposal
               of
               the
               Atomes
               and
               Particles
               of
               Brute
               and
               
                 Lifeless
                 Matter
              
               ,
               which
               also
               sheweth
               his
               Wisdom
               no
               less
               ;
               for
               by
               this
               means
               ,
               Matter
               is
               made
               to
               serve
               to
               many
               different
               Uses
               and
               Purposes
               ,
               which
               otherwise
               could
               only
               have
               served
               one
               or
               a
               few
               .
               Convenient
               Houses
               ,
               strong
               and
               magnificent
               Buildings
               ,
               could
               never
               have
               been
               erected
               of
               Sand
               and
               
                 loose
                 Dust
              
               ,
               nor
               could
               Stone
               be
               beat
               out
               into
               useful
               Plough-Shares
               and
               Pruning-Hooks
               ,
               Swords
               and
               Knives
               ,
               and
               such
               other
               Instruments
               as
               the
               Conveniency
               of
               Life
               requires
               .
               Of
               what
               Advantage
               Iron
               is
               ,
               we
               may
               understand
               by
               the
               Imperfection
               of
               Arts
               in
               America
               ,
               before
               the
               Europeans
               carried
               it
               thither
               :
               Tho'
               it
               be
               commonly
               reckoned
               the
               coursest
               of
               Metals
               ,
               yet
               none
               is
               more
               useful
               ,
               and
               without
               it
               other
               things
               could
               not
               be
               so
               well
               managed
               .
               It
               should
               be
               tedious
               to
               run
               over
               the
               several
               Species
               of
               
                 brute
                 Matter
              
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               evident
               ,
               That
               the
               wonderful
               Variety
               thereof
               renders
               the
               State
               and
               Condition
               of
               Mankind
               more
               convenient
               and
               happy
               ;
               and
               if
               but
               a
               few
               of
               them
               had
               been
               wanting
               ,
               they
               should
               have
               laboured
               under
               great
               Inconveniencies
               ;
               As
               for
               Instance
               ,
               how
               inconvenient
               would
               it
               be
               for
               those
               who
               inhabit
               Inland
               Countries
               ,
               remote
               from
               the
               Sea
               ,
               if
               there
               were
               not
               Rocks
               and
               Mines
               of
               Salt
               ;
               and
               therefore
               the
               Contrivance
               of
               such
               Variety
               ,
               speaks
               out
               both
               the
               infinite
               Power
               and
               Wisdom
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               Which
               doth
               yet
               more
               appear
               when
               we
               consider
               Vegetables
               ,
               which
               is
               Matter
               raised
               to
               the
               
                 First
                 Degree
              
               of
               Life
               ,
               being
               made
               capable
               of
               Nourishment
               and
               Growth
               .
               Some
               have
               written
               several
               large
               Volumes
               about
               the
               Number
               ,
               Kinds
               ,
               and
               Vertues
               of
               Plants
               ,
               and
               many
               more
               might
               be
               written
               without
               exhausting
               the
               Subject
               .
               There
               are
               many
               different
               Genders
               or
               Kind
               of
               Plants
               ,
               and
               every
               one
               
               of
               these
               in
               the
               same
               Gender
               differ
               from
               other
               as
               to
               Size
               ,
               Shape
               ,
               Figure
               ,
               Colour
               ,
               Odour
               ,
               Vertue
               ,
               Duration
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               ;
               so
               that
               the
               Number
               of
               known
               Plants
               are
               computed
               to
               be
               Eighteen
               or
               Twenty
               Thousand
               ;
               and
               there
               may
               be
               yet
               many
               more
               undiscovered
               .
               Some
               are
               almost
               insensibly
               small
               ,
               other
               vastly
               great
               ;
               some
               proceed
               from
               the
               Seed
               ,
               others
               by
               the
               Root
               ;
               some
               bear
               Seed
               ,
               others
               none
               at
               all
               ;
               some
               send
               forth
               a
               Flower
               ,
               others
               are
               without
               it
               ;
               in
               some
               the
               Flower
               puts
               out
               first
               ,
               in
               most
               others
               it
               is
               last
               ;
               some
               have
               no
               Odour
               ,
               others
               either
               refresh
               with
               their
               Fragrancy
               ,
               or
               they
               offend
               with
               their
               Stink
               ;
               some
               are
               only
               commendable
               for
               their
               Beauty
               and
               Ornament
               ,
               as
               the
               Tulip
               ,
               others
               for
               their
               Use
               and
               Vertue
               ;
               and
               some
               have
               Beauty
               and
               Vertue
               enjoined
               ,
               as
               the
               Violet
               ,
               the
               Rose
               ,
               the
               Lily
               ,
               and
               the
               Gilly-Flower
               .
               Some
               wither
               almost
               as
               soon
               as
               they
               spring
               up
               others
               last
               a
               Season
               ;
               some
               are
               Annual
               ,
               and
               others
               perpetual
               ;
               and
               all
               these
               divers
               Kinds
               have
               one
               common
               Nourishment
               ,
               viz.
               the
               Rain
               and
               Dew
               from
               Heaven
               .
               What
               Admiration
               may
               it
               breed
               ,
               to
               consider
               that
               such
               an
               insipid
               thing
               as
               Rain-Water
               ,
               is
               capable
               to
               be
               distilled
               into
               Liquors
               of
               so
               many
               different
               Colours
               ,
               Tasts
               ,
               Smells
               ,
               and
               Vertues
               ,
               as
               are
               the
               Juice
               of
               Plants
               !
               And
               it
               is
               no
               less
               Matter
               of
               Admiration
               ,
               that
               this
               same
               liquid
               Rain
               should
               be
               consolidated
               into
               so
               firm
               ,
               hard
               ,
               and
               strong
               Parts
               ,
               as
               are
               the
               Roots
               ,
               Trunks
               ,
               and
               Barks
               of
               Trees
               :
               For
               their
               Accretion
               and
               Growth
               is
               only
               from
               Rain
               ,
               the
               Earth
               ,
               being
               only
               a
               fit
               Receptacle
               to
               preserve
               it
               for
               them
               ,
               as
               is
               evident
               from
               divers
               Experiments
               .
               Is
               not
               all
               this
               the
               wonderful
               Work
               of
               God
               ,
               of
               which
               who
               can
               make
               any
               doubt
               ?
               If
               the
               inward
               Structure
               and
               admirable
               Mechanism
               of
               Plants
               or
               Vegetables
               be
               considered
               ;
               for
               they
               are
               composed
               of
               different
               Parts
               ,
               wisely
               fitted
               for
               Nourishment
               ,
               Growth
               ,
               and
               Preservation
               :
               The
               Root
               fixeth
               it
               in
               the
               Earth
               ,
               sucks
               in
               Nourishment
               ,
               and
               is
               as
               the
               Stomach
               in
               Animals
               ,
               to
               digest
               and
               prepare
               it
               .
               Then
               there
               are
               various
               Fibres
               as
               Veins
               to
               receive
               the
               Sap
               ,
               and
               thro'
               which
               it
               circulates
               .
               There
               are
               also
               some
               Vessels
               to
               take
               in
               Air
               for
               Respiration
               ,
               to
               facilitate
               
               the
               Circulation
               of
               the
               Sap.
               The
               outer
               and
               inner
               Bark
               of
               Trees
               preserve
               them
               from
               the
               Injury
               of
               the
               external
               Air
               :
               The
               Leaves
               are
               not
               only
               for
               Beauty
               ,
               but
               to
               defend
               the
               Fruit
               ,
               and
               to
               shade
               the
               Tree
               it self
               from
               excessive
               Heat
               ,
               and
               to
               gather
               the
               Dew
               ,
               which
               returning
               with
               the
               inward
               Sap
               ,
               helps
               to
               nourish
               the
               Fruit
               and
               Branches
               .
               Every
               Vegetable
               has
               its
               peculiar
               Contrivance
               suited
               to
               its
               Nature
               and
               Use
               ;
               which
               abundantly
               demonstrates
               that
               they
               are
               all
               the
               Effects
               of
               infinite
               Power
               and
               Wisdom
               :
               But
               there
               are
               some
               more
               remarkable
               Instances
               ,
               which
               ,
               like
               strange
               Prodigies
               ,
               seem
               to
               be
               planted
               with
               a
               Design
               to
               force
               our
               Admiration
               and
               Acknowledgment
               .
               Take
               this
               short
               Account
               of
               them
               ,
               which
               Mr.
               Ray
               hath
               given
               in
               his
               ingenious
               and
               pious
               
                 Treatise
                 of
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Creation
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 Coco
                 or
                 Coker-nut-Tree
                 ,
                 that
                 supplies
                 the
                 Indians
                 with
                 almost
                 whatever
                 they
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 ,
                 as
                 Bread
                 ,
                 Water
                 ,
                 Wine
                 ,
                 Vinegar
                 ,
                 Brandy
                 ,
                 Milk
                 ,
                 Oyl
                 ,
                 Honey
                 ,
                 Sugar
                 ,
                 Needles
                 ,
                 Thread
                 ,
                 Linen
                 ,
                 Cloths
                 ,
                 Cups
                 ,
                 Spoons
                 ,
                 Besoms
                 ,
                 Baskets
                 ,
                 Paper
                 ,
                 Masts
                 for
                 Ships
                 ,
                 Sails
                 ,
                 Cordage
                 ,
                 Nails
                 ,
                 Coverings
                 for
                 their
                 Houses
                 ,
                 &c.
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 seen
                 at
                 large
                 in
                 the
                 many
                 Printed
                 Relations
                 of
                 Voyages
                 and
                 Travels
                 to
                 the
                 East-Indies
                 ,
                 but
                 most
                 faithfully
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Hortus
                   Malabaricus
                
                 ,
                 Published
                 by
                 that
                 immortal
                 Patron
                 of
                 natural
                 Learning
                 ,
                 
                   Henry
                   Van
                   Rheed
                   van
                   Drankenstein
                
                 ,
                 who
                 has
                 had
                 great
                 Commands
                 ,
                 and
                 employs
                 in
                 the
                 Dutch
                 Colonies
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   Aloe
                   Muricata
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Aculeata
                 ,
                 which
                 yields
                 the
                 Americans
                 every
                 thing
                 their
                 Necessities
                 require
                 ,
                 as
                 Fences
                 ,
                 Houses
                 ,
                 Darts
                 ,
                 Weapons
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 Arms
                 ,
                 Shooes
                 ,
                 Linen
                 and
                 Cloths
                 ,
                 Needles
                 and
                 Thread
                 ,
                 Wine
                 and
                 Honey
                 ,
                 besides
                 many
                 Utensils
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 which
                 
                   Hernacles
                   ,
                   Garcilasso
                   de
                   la
                   Vega
                
                 and
                 Margrave
                 may
                 be
                 consulted
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   Bandura
                   Cingalensium
                
                 ,
                 called
                 by
                 some
                 
                   Priapus
                   Vegetabilis
                
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 whose
                 Leaves
                 hang
                 long
                 Sacks
                 or
                 Bags
                 ,
                 containing
                 pure
                 limpid
                 Water
                 ,
                 
                 of
                 great
                 Use
                 to
                 the
                 Natives
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 want
                 Rain
                 for
                 Eight
                 or
                 Ten
                 Months
                 together
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   Cinnamon-Tree
                   of
                
                 Cylon
                 ,
                 in
                 whose
                 Parts
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 wonderful
                 Diversity
                 .
                 Out
                 of
                 the
                 Root
                 they
                 get
                 a
                 sort
                 of
                 Camphire
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 Oil
                 ;
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Bark
                 of
                 the
                 Trunk
                 the
                 true
                 Oil
                 of
                 Cinnamon
                 ;
                 from
                 the
                 Leaves
                 an
                 Oil
                 like
                 that
                 of
                 Cloves
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Fruit
                 a
                 Juniper
                 Oil
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 Mixture
                 of
                 those
                 of
                 Cinnamon
                 and
                 Cloves
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 they
                 boil
                 the
                 Berries
                 into
                 a
                 sort
                 of
                 Wax
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 which
                 they
                 make
                 Candles
                 ,
                 Plaisters
                 ,
                 Unguents
                 .
                 Here
                 we
                 may
                 take
                 Notice
                 of
                 the
                 Candle-Trees
                 of
                 the
                 West-Indies
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 whose
                 Fruit
                 boiled
                 to
                 a
                 thick
                 fat
                 Consistence
                 ,
                 are
                 made
                 very
                 good
                 Candles
                 ,
                 many
                 of
                 which
                 have
                 been
                 lately
                 distributed
                 by
                 that
                 most
                 ingenious
                 Merchant
                 ,
                 Mr.
                 
                   Charles
                   Dubois
                
                 .
              
               
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 The
                 Fountain
                 or
                 Dropping-Trees
                 in
                 the
                 Isles
                 of
                 Teno
                 ,
                 St.
                 Thomas
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 Guinea
                 ,
                 which
                 serve
                 the
                 Inhabitants
                 instead
                 of
                 Rain
                 and
                 fresh
                 Springs
                 .
              
               
                 Sixthly
                 ,
                 and
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 we
                 will
                 only
                 mention
                 the
                 Names
                 of
                 some
                 other
                 Vegetables
                 ,
                 which
                 with
                 Eighteen
                 or
                 Twenty
                 Thousand
                 more
                 of
                 that
                 Kind
                 ,
                 do
                 manifest
                 to
                 Mankind
                 the
                 Illustrious
                 Bounty
                 and
                 Providence
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 and
                 Omniscient
                 Creator
                 towards
                 his
                 undeserving
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Cotton-Trees
                 ,
                 the
                 Manyoc
                 or
                 Cassava
                 ,
                 the
                 Potatoe
                 ,
                 the
                 Jesuits
                 Bark-Tree
                 ,
                 the
                 Poppy
                 ,
                 the
                 Rheubarb
                 ,
                 the
                 Scammony
                 ,
                 the
                 Jalap
                 ,
                 the
                 Coloquintida
                 ,
                 the
                 China
                 ,
                 Sarfa
                 ,
                 the
                 Serpentaria
                 Virginia
                 ,
                 or
                 Snakeweed
                 ,
                 the
                 Nisi
                 or
                 Genseg
                 ,
                 the
                 numerous
                 Balsam
                 and
                 Gum-Trees
                 ,
                 many
                 of
                 which
                 are
                 of
                 late
                 much
                 illustrated
                 by
                 the
                 great
                 Industry
                 and
                 Skill
                 of
                 that
                 most
                 discerning
                 Botanist
                 ,
                 Doctor
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   Plukened
                
                 .
                 Of
                 what
                 great
                 Use
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 innumerable
                 other
                 Plants
                 are
                 to
                 Mankind
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 several
                 Parts
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 few
                 or
                 none
                 can
                 be
                 ignorant
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 the
                 known
                 Uses
                 in
                 curing
                 Diseases
                 ,
                 in
                 feeding
                 and
                 cloathing
                 the
                 poor
                 ,
                 in
                 building
                 and
                 dying
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 Mechanicks
                 ,
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 as
                 many
                 more
                 not
                 yet
                 discovered
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 reserved
                 on
                 purpose
                 to
                 exercise
                 the
                 
                 Faculties
                 bestowed
                 on
                 Man
                 ,
                 to
                 find
                 out
                 what
                 is
                 necessary
                 .
              
            
             
               10.
               
               But
               if
               we
               make
               one
               Step
               higher
               to
               view
               the
               
                 Animal
                 Life
              
               ,
               we
               shall
               see
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               still
               more
               wonderfully
               displayed
               and
               diversified
               .
               What
               a
               prodigious
               Bulk
               of
               Life
               and
               Animal
               Motion
               is
               the
               Whale
               !
               What
               a
               huge
               Animal
               Machine
               is
               that
               
                 Leviathan
                 !
                 By
                 whose
                 Neezings
                 a
                 Light
                 doth
                 shine
                 ,
                 and
                 whose
                 Eyes
                 are
                 like
                 the
                 Eye-lids
                 of
                 the
                 Morning
                 .
                 Out
                 of
                 whose
                 Nostrils
                 goeth
                 Smoak
                 as
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 Seething-pot
                 or
                 Cauldron
                 .
                 He
                 maketh
                 the
                 Deep
                 to
                 boil
                 like
                 a
                 Pot
                 ,
                 the
                 Sea
                 like
                 a
                 Pot
                 of
                 Ointment
                 .
                 He
                 maketh
                 a
                 Path
                 to
                 shine
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 one
                 would
                 think
                 the
                 Deep
                 to
                 be
                 hoary
                 .
              
               And
               is
               not
               the
               Epitome
               of
               the
               Animal
               Life
               as
               astonishing
               which
               we
               have
               in
               the
               Mite
               ,
               and
               other
               almost
               imperceptible
               Creatures
               !
               Which
               tho'
               they
               be
               but
               as
               Motes
               in
               the
               Sun
               ,
               nay
               according
               to
               the
               Observation
               of
               some
               ,
               there
               are
               some
               Animals
               less
               than
               a
               Grain
               of
               Sand
               by
               several
               Millions
               ,
               yet
               they
               have
               Life
               and
               Motion
               ,
               and
               consequently
               are
               inwardly
               composed
               of
               Heart
               ,
               Lungs
               ,
               Veins
               ,
               Arteries
               ,
               and
               Fibres
               ,
               which
               proves
               the
               wonderful
               Divisibility
               of
               Matter
               ,
               and
               the
               Art
               of
               Almighty
               Power
               ,
               which
               can
               produce
               the
               same
               Motions
               and
               Sense
               in
               an
               Atome
               which
               we
               see
               in
               the
               hugest
               Animals
               .
               Again
               ,
               we
               see
               here
               all
               imaginable
               Qualities
               distributed
               into
               various
               Sizes
               ,
               Shapes
               ,
               and
               Figures
               ;
               and
               also
               ,
               all
               or
               most
               of
               them
               united
               together
               into
               one
               .
               Some
               are
               designed
               to
               fly
               in
               the
               Air
               ,
               and
               for
               that
               end
               are
               furnished
               with
               Feathers
               ,
               Wings
               ,
               and
               very
               strong
               Muscles
               ,
               by
               which
               means
               they
               are
               capable
               to
               continue
               and
               support
               themselves
               a
               long
               time
               in
               the
               Air
               ,
               without
               wearying
               :
               And
               because
               their
               Feathers
               may
               be
               spoiled
               by
               Rain
               and
               Dew
               ,
               and
               so
               rendered
               useless
               ;
               therefore
               each
               Fowl
               has
               Two
               Pots
               of
               Oil
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 Two
                 Glandules
              
               upon
               its
               Rump
               ,
               which
               always
               produce
               an
               
                 Vnctuous
                 Substance
              
               ,
               for
               anointing
               the
               Feathers
               that
               they
               may
               not
               be
               wet
               ,
               or
               receive
               any
               Prejudice
               from
               Rain
               or
               the
               Moisture
               of
               the
               Air.
               Others
               are
               framed
               to
               swim
               in
               the
               Waters
               ,
               and
               therefore
               have
               a
               peculiar
               Structure
               of
               their
               Lungs
               and
               inward
               Parts
               ,
               which
               makes
               
               them
               require
               less
               Air
               than
               Terrestrial
               Animals
               .
               And
               tho'
               the
               Animals
               proper
               to
               one
               Element
               cannot
               live
               in
               another
               ,
               for
               Fishes
               brought
               to
               the
               open
               Air
               pant
               and
               die
               ;
               Land-Fowl
               ,
               and
               the
               Generality
               of
               Terrestrial
               Creatures
               ,
               when
               they
               fall
               into
               the
               Water
               ,
               cannot
               subsist
               long
               without
               Drowning
               .
               Yet
               to
               shew
               that
               nothing
               is
               impossible
               to
               Almighty
               Wisdom
               ,
               there
               be
               some
               Fishes
               framed
               to
               fly
               above
               Water
               ,
               and
               a
               great
               many
               Fowl
               to
               swim
               and
               dive
               under
               it
               .
               So
               there
               are
               Terrestrial
               Quadrupedes
               ,
               which
               ,
               without
               Feathers
               ,
               fly
               in
               the
               Air
               ,
               as
               Bats
               ,
               and
               some
               Indian
               Squirrils
               ;
               and
               there
               be
               others
               ,
               whose
               Food
               being
               Fish
               and
               Water-Insects
               ,
               they
               range
               continually
               in
               the
               Waters
               ,
               as
               the
               Beaver
               ,
               the
               Otter
               ,
               the
               Phoca
               or
               Sea-Calf
               ,
               the
               Water-Rat
               ,
               and
               Frog
               ;
               all
               which
               have
               their
               Toes
               interwoven
               with
               a
               thin
               Membrane
               to
               fit
               them
               for
               Swimming
               ,
               and
               also
               are
               furnished
               with
               a
               Wind-Bladder
               to
               afford
               them
               what
               Air
               is
               necessary
               to
               the
               Circulation
               of
               the
               Blood
               ,
               so
               that
               they
               can
               continue
               long
               in
               the
               Water
               without
               Suffocation
               .
               Now
               could
               all
               these
               different
               proper
               Structures
               of
               Animals
               have
               been
               contrived
               without
               Wisdom
               ?
               Could
               they
               have
               been
               distinguished
               in
               some
               ,
               and
               united
               and
               intermingled
               in
               others
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Elements
               for
               which
               they
               were
               designed
               ,
               without
               infinite
               Understanding
               ?
            
             
               To
               proceed
               ,
               the
               Power
               of
               Seeing
               far
               is
               given
               to
               the
               Eagle
               and
               others
               ,
               Swiftness
               to
               the
               Hare
               ,
               Hound
               ,
               and
               Roe-buck
               ;
               Strength
               to
               the
               Ox
               and
               Bear
               ;
               Fierceness
               to
               the
               Lion
               ;
               Cunning
               to
               the
               Fox
               ;
               Docility
               to
               the
               Dog
               ;
               Courage
               and
               Fleetness
               to
               the
               Horse
               ;
               and
               the
               Elephant
               is
               made
               both
               formidable
               and
               tame
               ,
               cunning
               and
               docile
               ,
               strong
               and
               fierce
               .
            
             
               And
               lastly
               ,
               there
               is
               Man
               to
               manage
               this
               and
               all
               the
               other
               Animals
               ,
               who
               ,
               tho'
               he
               be
               neither
               so
               clear
               sighted
               as
               some
               ,
               nor
               so
               strong
               ,
               nor
               so
               fierce
               ,
               nor
               so
               swift
               as
               others
               ,
               yet
               by
               his
               Reason
               and
               the
               Ordinance
               of
               God
               ,
               he
               has
               Dominion
               over
               the
               Fowls
               of
               the
               Air
               ,
               the
               Beasts
               of
               the
               Field
               ,
               and
               the
               Fish
               of
               the
               Sea
               ,
               and
               maketh
               them
               all
               to
               do
               Homage
               unto
               him
               .
               
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 how
                 manifold
                 are
                 thy
                 
                 Works
                 !
                 In
                 Wisdom
                 thou
                 hast
                 made
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 the
                 Earth
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 thy
                 Riches
                 .
              
            
             
               11.
               
               We
               need
               not
               ascend
               higher
               ,
               nor
               go
               further
               to
               fetch
               Proofs
               of
               a
               Deity
               ,
               nor
               Instances
               of
               eternal
               and
               infinite
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               .
               They
               who
               are
               so
               peevish
               as
               to
               quarrel
               what
               they
               see
               here
               ,
               would
               not
               lay
               aside
               this
               unreasonable
               Humour
               ,
               tho'
               they
               were
               carried
               to
               the
               Regions
               above
               .
               They
               who
               are
               not
               convinced
               by
               these
               things
               which
               are
               continually
               before
               them
               ,
               would
               not
               be
               satisfied
               with
               other
               Arguments
               ,
               and
               there
               are
               innumerable
               more
               .
               As
               they
               are
               hardned
               against
               the
               ordinary
               Works
               of
               God
               ,
               so
               they
               would
               resist
               obstinately
               such
               as
               are
               extraordinary
               ,
               for
               they
               mock
               all
               of
               this
               kind
               which
               have
               been
               .
               Wherefore
               it
               is
               wisely
               observ'd
               ,
               That
               God
               never
               wrought
               a
               Miracle
               to
               convince
               an
               Atheist
               ;
               for
               besides
               that
               it
               is
               not
               reasonable
               that
               God
               should
               indulge
               an
               unreasonably
               willful
               ,
               and
               obstinate
               Humour
               ,
               no
               Miracle
               can
               be
               more
               effectual
               ,
               or
               less
               liable
               to
               Exception
               than
               the
               regular
               Motion
               of
               those
               prodigious
               Orbs
               in
               the
               Heavens
               above
               ,
               and
               the
               Multitude
               of
               Productions
               in
               the
               Earth
               below
               ,
               all
               of
               which
               shew
               admirable
               Art
               and
               Contrivance
               .
               When
               common
               Food
               ceaseth
               to
               nourish
               ,
               Delicacies
               and
               Dainties
               seldom
               do
               good
               .
               If
               the
               Body
               be
               clean
               and
               sound
               ,
               common
               Food
               should
               be
               both
               savoury
               and
               nourishing
               .
               And
               if
               Men
               would
               lay
               aside
               their
               Pride
               ,
               Malice
               ,
               and
               Superfluity
               of
               Naughtiness
               ;
               if
               they
               would
               be
               meek
               and
               docile
               ,
               they
               should
               soon
               perceive
               the
               reasonable
               Force
               of
               what
               we
               have
               touched
               ,
               to
               perswade
               to
               a
               Belief
               of
               the
               Existence
               of
               God.
               And
               if
               any
               would
               have
               the
               Satisfaction
               of
               a
               fuller
               View
               of
               these
               Works
               of
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               ,
               I
               referr
               them
               to
               the
               forementioned
               Treatise
               of
               Mr.
               Ray
               ,
               because
               it
               may
               be
               easily
               had
               ,
               and
               is
               made
               plain
               and
               intelligible
               by
               the
               meanest
               Capacity
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               ESSAY
               VII
               .
            
             
               Of
               the
               Absurdity
               of
               Atheism
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               THere
               are
               Two
               sorts
               of
               Demonstrations
               ,
               one
               is
               a
               positive
               Proof
               drawn
               from
               certain
               and
               known
               Principles
               ;
               the
               other
               sheweth
               the
               absurd
               and
               unreasonable
               Consequences
               which
               would
               necessarily
               follow
               ,
               if
               what
               is
               required
               be
               not
               granted
               ,
               which
               is
               therefore
               called
               
                 Demonstratio
                 ex
                 absurdo
              
               .
               Mathematicians
               make
               use
               of
               both
               :
               And
               there
               be
               many
               Propositions
               in
               Euclid
               which
               are
               not
               demonstrable
               but
               by
               the
               last
               Kind
               .
               Either
               of
               them
               makes
               a
               thing
               sure
               ;
               and
               what
               is
               capable
               of
               both
               is
               most
               evident
               ,
               and
               consequently
               nothing
               can
               be
               more
               absurd
               and
               unreasonable
               than
               to
               deny
               and
               resist
               what
               is
               clearly
               made
               out
               both
               these
               Ways
               .
               And
               hence
               also
               it
               follows
               ,
               That
               the
               Atheist
               is
               monstrously
               obstinate
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               utmost
               Degree
               absurd
               and
               unreasonable
               ;
               seeing
               the
               Existence
               of
               a
               Deity
               can
               be
               demonstrated
               either
               way
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               First
               ,
               It
               is
               evident
               by
               what
               hath
               been
               delivered
               in
               the
               former
               Essays
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               clear
               Instances
               of
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               it
               also
               clearly
               appears
               that
               this
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               are
               united
               in
               one
               ,
               because
               they
               never
               act
               separately
               ,
               but
               always
               work
               together
               .
               Power
               is
               always
               directed
               by
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               what
               sheweth
               the
               one
               sheweth
               the
               other
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               sufficient
               ,
               full
               ,
               and
               as
               great
               a
               Demonstration
               as
               can
               reasonably
               be
               demanded
               ,
               of
               the
               Existence
               of
               a
               wise
               Power
               or
               powerful
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               consequently
               that
               there
               is
               a
               Being
               superiour
               to
               all
               that
               we
               see
               ,
               which
               has
               as
               much
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               as
               what
               we
               find
               expressed
               in
               the
               Contrivance
               and
               Frame
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Composition
               of
               the
               several
               Beings
               that
               are
               in
               it
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               there
               is
               and
               must
               be
               an
               all-wise
               and
               Almighty
               God
               ;
               for
               by
               him
               we
               understand
               a
               Being
               whose
               Power
               and
               Understanding
               
               is
               infinite
               .
               Of
               whose
               Existence
               we
               are
               also
               further
               assured
               by
               all
               the
               Principles
               of
               reason
               and
               Knowledge
               ,
               and
               by
               all
               those
               Methods
               by
               which
               we
               find
               out
               the
               Truth
               of
               any
               thing
               :
               For
               we
               are
               ascertained
               of
               the
               Truth
               of
               things
               ,
               either
               by
               the
               Consideration
               of
               their
               Nature
               and
               abstracted
               Idea's
               ,
               or
               by
               Deductions
               from
               Principles
               which
               all
               acknowledge
               to
               be
               self-evident
               ,
               or
               by
               their
               effects
               and
               Manifestations
               ,
               or
               finally
               by
               Testimony
               and
               Tradition
               .
               And
               all
               these
               several
               Ways
               ,
               it
               is
               evident
               that
               there
               is
               such
               a
               supreme
               and
               perfect
               Being
               as
               is
               meant
               by
               God.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               Moreover
               ,
               this
               Truth
               is
               so
               far
               from
               being
               shaken
               by
               the
               Arguments
               and
               Objections
               of
               Atheists
               ,
               that
               they
               do
               rather
               confirm
               it
               .
               Wherefore
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               entirely
               silence
               them
               ,
               and
               remove
               all
               Difficulties
               which
               any
               may
               entertain
               in
               this
               Matter
               ,
               we
               will
               consider
               some
               of
               the
               chief
               of
               their
               Objections
               ,
               without
               concealing
               or
               diminishing
               the
               Force
               of
               them
               .
            
             
               Firt
               ,
               
                 It
                 is
                 objected
              
               ,
               That
               an
               Argument
               ,
               drawn
               from
               final
               Causes
               ,
               the
               Ends
               and
               Vses
               of
               things
               ,
               is
               not
               concluding
               ,
               nor
               of
               Force
               enough
               to
               establish
               such
               an
               important
               Truth
               ,
               because
               it
               has
               more
               of
               Fancy
               than
               Solidity
               in
               it
               :
               The
               ends
               of
               things
               are
               but
               little
               known
               ,
               and
               are
               only
               devised
               by
               a
               strong
               Imagination
               .
               Fancifull
               Men
               apprehend
               a
               Thousand
               things
               which
               have
               no
               Foundation
               in
               Nature
               ,
               as
               cunning
               and
               industrious
               Persons
               can
               adapt
               and
               appropriate
               things
               to
               several
               Vses
               to
               which
               they
               were
               never
               destined
               .
               It
               is
               unreasonable
               to
               pretend
               ,
               that
               the
               several
               things
               in
               Nature
               have
               been
               particularly
               designed
               for
               the
               Ends
               and
               Vses
               to
               which
               the
               Art
               or
               Necessities
               of
               Mankind
               have
               employed
               them
               .
               And
               the
               like
               may
               be
               said
               of
               most
               other
               things
               ,
               which
               we
               only
               fanste
               were
               formed
               with
               a
               Respect
               to
               such
               or
               such
               an
               End
               ,
               because
               we
               perceive
               some
               Agreeableness
               betwixt
               them
               and
               it
               .
               
                 This
                 Argument
              
               Lucretius
               
                 insists
                 on
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 set
                 down
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 excellent
                 Translation
                 of
                 Mr.
              
               Creech
               ;
               
                 
                   But
                   now
                   avoid
                   their
                   gross
                   Mistakes
                   ,
                   that
                   teach
                
                 
                   The
                   Limbs
                   were
                   made
                   for
                   
                     Work
                     ,
                     a
                     Use
                     for
                     each
                  
                   ;
                
                 
                 
                   The
                   Eyes
                   design'd
                   to
                   see
                   ,
                   the
                   Tongue
                   to
                   talk
                   ,
                
                 
                   The
                   Legs
                   made
                   strong
                   ,
                   and
                   knit
                   to
                   Feet
                   ,
                   to
                   walk
                   ;
                
                 
                   The
                   Arms
                   fram'd
                   long
                   ,
                   and
                   firm
                   ,
                   the
                   
                     Servile
                     Hands
                  
                
                 
                   To
                   work
                   ,
                   as
                   Health
                   requires
                   ,
                   as
                   Life
                   commands
                   :
                
                 
                   And
                   so
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   rest
                   whate'er
                   they
                   feign
                   ,
                
                 
                   Whate'er
                   they
                   teach
                   't
                   is
                   Nonsense
                   all
                   ,
                   and
                   vain
                   .
                
                 
                   For
                   proper
                   Vses
                   were
                   design'd
                   for
                   none
                
                 
                   But
                   all
                   the
                   Members
                   fram'd
                   each
                   made
                   his
                   own
                   .
                
              
               Again
               :
               
                 
                   These
                   various
                   things
                   Convenience
                   did
                   produce
                   ,
                
                 
                   We
                   thought
                   them
                   fit
                   ,
                   and
                   made
                   them
                   for
                   our
                   Use.
                
                 
                   Thus
                   these
                   ,
                   and
                   thus
                   our
                   Limbs
                   and
                   Senses
                   too
                
                 
                   Were
                   form'd
                   before
                   that
                   any
                   Mind
                   did
                   know
                
                 
                   What
                   Office
                   't
                   was
                   that
                   they
                   were
                   fit
                   to
                   do
                   .
                
                 
                   Well
                   then
                   ,
                   't
                   is
                   fond
                   to
                   think
                   that
                   these
                   began
                
                 
                   For
                   proper
                   Vses
                   made
                   ,
                   bestow'd
                   on
                   Man.
                   
                
              
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               Summ
               of
               this
               Argument
               is
               ,
               That
               all
               things
               happened
               by
               Chance
               ,
               That
               nothing
               was
               contrived
               or
               made
               with
               Design
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               pretended
               Ends
               and
               Uses
               of
               things
               are
               arbitrarily
               imposed
               by
               Men.
               But
               this
               Argument
               falls
               to
               pieces
               ,
               and
               is
               of
               no
               Force
               at
               all
               ,
               if
               it
               evidently
               appear
               that
               the
               Frame
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Structure
               of
               particular
               Beings
               cannot
               be
               ascribed
               to
               Chance
               ,
               but
               to
               Contrivance
               and
               Design
               ,
               which
               must
               necessarily
               inferr
               an
               Intelligent
               Being
               :
               For
               even
               the
               Proposers
               of
               this
               do
               acknowledge
               ,
               That
               acting
               intentionally
               proves
               Wisdom
               and
               Understanding
               ,
               otherwise
               they
               would
               not
               be
               so
               anxious
               to
               remove
               all
               Contrivance
               from
               Natural
               things
               .
            
             
               Now
               ,
               neither
               the
               Continuation
               of
               the
               present
               State
               of
               things
               ,
               nor
               their
               first
               Production
               can
               be
               afcribed
               to
               Chance
               without
               the
               grossest
               Impudence
               .
               Not
               the
               first
               ,
               because
               Chance
               is
               Chance
               still
               ,
               and
               not
               only
               may
               ,
               but
               doth
               more
               often
               miss
               than
               hit
               right
               ;
               whereas
               the
               Motions
               of
               the
               Planets
               are
               certain
               and
               regular
               ;
               and
               the
               successive
               
               Production
               of
               Animals
               and
               Vegetables
               is
               constant
               and
               unchangeable
               ,
               never
               miscarrying
               ,
               but
               when
               some
               visible
               impediment
               happens
               .
               The
               several
               Species
               are
               not
               confounded
               or
               blended
               together
               ,
               but
               every
               thing
               produceth
               its
               like
               of
               the
               same
               kind
               ,
               with
               all
               its
               natural
               Perfections
               and
               Proportions
               .
               If
               one
               should
               always
               throw
               the
               same
               Number
               with
               Two
               Dyes
               ,
               when
               the
               Odds
               is
               more
               than
               a
               Million
               to
               One
               ,
               tho'
               there
               be
               but
               Six
               different
               Numbers
               on
               each
               ,
               we
               would
               conclude
               that
               he
               did
               it
               not
               by
               Chance
               but
               by
               some
               Art
               or
               Trick
               which
               secured
               it
               .
               How
               improbable
               then
               ,
               nay
               ,
               how
               impossible
               is
               it
               ,
               that
               so
               many
               Thousand
               admirable
               and
               regular
               Productions
               should
               happen
               merely
               by
               Chance
               ,
               when
               each
               is
               a
               greater
               Chance
               than
               one
               against
               many
               Thousands
               of
               Millions
               without
               the
               Management
               of
               a
               wise
               Power
               .
               We
               conclude
               him
               a
               wise
               and
               expert
               Artist
               ,
               who
               always
               hits
               his
               Mark
               ,
               and
               compasseth
               his
               Design
               .
               And
               is
               there
               not
               as
               much
               Reason
               ,
               to
               conclude
               these
               many
               natural
               Productions
               the
               Effects
               of
               an
               Intelligent
               Being
               .
            
             
               If
               it
               be
               replied
               ,
               that
               all
               things
               now
               are
               continued
               and
               perpetuated
               by
               the
               Order
               and
               Method
               into
               which
               Matter
               has
               settled
               ,
               and
               into
               which
               it
               fell
               by
               mere
               Chance
               ;
               I
               answer
               ,
               That
               neither
               can
               the
               first
               Production
               of
               things
               ,
               or
               that
               Order
               and
               Law
               by
               which
               they
               are
               now
               produced
               be
               ascribed
               to
               Chance
               ,
               which
               was
               the
               other
               thing
               I
               asserted
               .
               For
               supposing
               Matter
               to
               be
               Eternal
               ,
               we
               must
               also
               suppose
               some
               other
               thing
               to
               put
               it
               into
               Motion
               ,
               for
               Motion
               is
               not
               essential
               to
               Matter
               :
               And
               tho'
               we
               should
               suppose
               ,
               that
               both
               Matter
               and
               Motion
               were
               Eternal
               ,
               yet
               we
               cannot
               thence
               conclude
               ,
               that
               blind
               Matter
               and
               undetermined
               Motion
               could
               ever
               produce
               any
               regular
               thing
               ,
               without
               a
               Director
               ,
               or
               one
               to
               super-intend
               it
               .
               At
               the
               most
               it
               can
               be
               supposed
               only
               to
               occasion
               a
               Separation
               of
               its
               Parts
               ,
               and
               a
               Secretion
               of
               the
               subtile
               from
               the
               grosser
               Particles
               ,
               as
               we
               see
               done
               by
               some
               Chymical
               Operations
               ;
               but
               no
               Force
               put
               upon
               our
               Imagination
               can
               ever
               make
               us
               fansie
               that
               it
               could
               be
               so
               admirably
               organized
               of
               it self
               ,
               or
               by
               mere
               Chance
               shap'd
               into
               so
               many
               
               different
               independent
               Species
               of
               Beings
               ,
               which
               have
               also
               Power
               to
               perpetuate
               their
               Kind
               ,
               not
               to
               speak
               now
               of
               the
               Faculties
               of
               thinking
               and
               reasoning
               .
               We
               may
               with
               much
               more
               Ease
               conceive
               ,
               that
               a
               fortuitous
               Jumble
               of
               Letters
               may
               compose
               all
               the
               Books
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               which
               the
               Atheists
               have
               been
               often
               ,
               and
               of
               old
               twitted
               with
               .
            
             
               And
               as
               Reasoning
               
                 à
                 priori
              
               ,
               we
               cannot
               admit
               Chance
               to
               be
               the
               Cause
               of
               things
               ,
               so
               
                 à
                 posteriori
              
               ,
               we
               cannot
               deny
               Contrivance
               and
               Design
               to
               be
               visible
               in
               the
               Frame
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               the
               Order
               of
               Beings
               ,
               and
               the
               particular
               Structure
               of
               each
               ,
               unless
               we
               do
               Violence
               to
               both
               Sense
               and
               Reason
               .
               Such
               as
               refuse
               to
               acknowledge
               it
               ,
               I
               would
               have
               them
               to
               declare
               greater
               Signs
               and
               Evidence
               of
               Art
               ,
               Design
               ,
               and
               Contrivance
               ,
               than
               what
               is
               to
               be
               seen
               in
               and
               amongst
               natural
               things
               .
               Are
               not
               all
               things
               made
               in
               
                 Number
                 ,
                 Weight
              
               ,
               and
               Measure
               ?
               Where
               do
               they
               perceive
               any
               Confusion
               or
               Disorder
               ?
               Where
               do
               they
               see
               irregular
               and
               unsuitable
               Mixtures
               or
               Compositions
               ?
               Are
               their
               disproportionable
               Quantities
               of
               Matter
               ,
               or
               disagreeable
               Qualities
               conjoined
               in
               any
               Subject
               ?
               Is
               not
               Order
               ,
               Method
               ,
               just
               Proportion
               and
               Measure
               to
               be
               observed
               every
               where
               ,
               and
               in
               every
               thing
               ?
               Are
               not
               all
               things
               so
               exactly
               adapted
               together
               ,
               and
               so
               well
               fitted
               to
               each
               other
               ,
               that
               whether
               we
               consider
               Individuals
               ,
               or
               the
               several
               Species
               ,
               or
               the
               whole
               Frame
               together
               ,
               nothing
               can
               be
               better
               devised
               ?
               What
               is
               it
               to
               act
               intentionally
               ,
               or
               with
               Design
               ,
               but
               to
               propose
               some
               certain
               end
               ,
               and
               to
               carry
               it
               on
               by
               suitable
               Means
               ?
               And
               therefore
               when
               we
               see
               things
               so
               conveniently
               adapted
               together
               as
               to
               produce
               certain
               Effects
               ,
               and
               so
               well
               adjusted
               as
               to
               prevent
               the
               Miscarriage
               of
               them
               ,
               have
               we
               not
               all
               Reason
               to
               conclude
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               Design
               and
               Contrivance
               there
               ?
               The
               more
               excellent
               the
               Effects
               be
               ,
               and
               the
               more
               Artificial
               the
               Means
               ,
               it
               still
               proves
               more
               Wisdom
               in
               the
               Author
               and
               Contriver
               ,
               and
               consequently
               the
               Author
               of
               Natural
               things
               is
               infinitely
               more
               wise
               than
               Men
               ,
               because
               Natural
               Productions
               do
               far
               exceed
               those
               of
               Humane
               Art
               ,
               and
               the
               
               Means
               by
               which
               they
               are
               produced
               are
               much
               more
               admirable
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               great
               Perverseness
               and
               inexcusable
               Obstinacy
               ,
               not
               to
               acknowledge
               a
               wise
               Contrivance
               in
               the
               Ends
               and
               Uses
               of
               Natural
               things
               ,
               or
               to
               alledge
               that
               they
               are
               all
               devised
               by
               Men
               :
               For
               tho'
               we
               should
               grant
               ,
               that
               the
               Ends
               and
               Uses
               to
               which
               the
               Wit
               ,
               Art
               ,
               and
               Industry
               of
               Man
               has
               improved
               many
               of
               them
               ,
               were
               not
               foreseen
               by
               their
               wise
               Author
               ,
               nor
               those
               things
               which
               they
               have
               thus
               improved
               ,
               intended
               by
               him
               purposely
               for
               the
               greater
               Conveniency
               and
               Advantage
               of
               Life
               ;
               yet
               there
               are
               real
               and
               visible
               Ends
               and
               Uses
               ,
               and
               manifest
               admirable
               Contrivances
               in
               Order
               to
               the
               same
               ,
               which
               are
               altogether
               independent
               upon
               either
               the
               Art
               or
               Imagination
               of
               Men.
               Is
               the
               Distinction
               of
               Animals
               into
               Male
               and
               Female
               ,
               and
               the
               Adaptation
               of
               the
               Female
               to
               conceive
               and
               nourish
               the
               Foetus
               ,
               both
               while
               it
               is
               in
               the
               Womb
               and
               after
               it
               is
               brought
               forth
               ,
               merely
               grounded
               upon
               Fancy
               ?
               Could
               either
               Individuals
               have
               been
               multiplied
               ,
               or
               the
               Kinds
               propagated
               without
               this
               ?
               And
               was
               not
               this
               an
               admirable
               Contrivance
               ,
               and
               could
               it
               have
               been
               without
               Wisdom
               and
               Understanding
               ?
               What
               Reason
               is
               there
               to
               ascribe
               a
               Watch
               to
               Art
               and
               Contrivance
               more
               than
               the
               Structure
               of
               Animals
               ,
               which
               is
               composed
               of
               different
               Parts
               and
               Vessels
               ,
               curiously
               set
               together
               ?
               Why
               should
               we
               think
               ,
               that
               Windows
               were
               designed
               to
               let
               in
               Light
               to
               the
               House
               ,
               and
               not
               the
               Eye
               purposely
               framed
               to
               see
               ?
               Why
               should
               we
               think
               ,
               Doors
               and
               Gates
               intended
               by
               the
               Architect
               for
               giving
               Entry
               to
               what
               we
               would
               admit
               into
               the
               House
               ,
               and
               shutting
               out
               other
               things
               ,
               and
               not
               also
               conclude
               the
               Valves
               of
               the
               Heart
               ,
               Veins
               ,
               and
               Arteries
               such
               another
               Contrivance
               ?
               Is
               there
               more
               Art
               in
               the
               various
               ways
               of
               joining
               the
               different
               pieces
               of
               any
               Frame
               or
               Machine
               ,
               than
               there
               is
               in
               the
               different
               joinings
               of
               the
               Bones
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               which
               makes
               them
               move
               differently
               and
               very
               usefully
               ?
               As
               for
               Example
               ;
               The
               upper
               part
               of
               the
               Bone
               of
               the
               Arm
               is
               convex
               ,
               and
               that
               Bone
               of
               the
               Shoulder
               which
               receives
               it
               is
               concave
               ,
               by
               which
               
               Means
               we
               can
               trun
               our
               Arm
               round
               ,
               whereas
               at
               the
               Elbow
               there
               is
               another
               Kind
               of
               Articulation
               ,
               which
               only
               suffers
               that
               part
               of
               the
               Arm
               to
               turn
               upwards
               towards
               the
               Shoulder
               .
               And
               because
               neither
               of
               these
               joinings
               were
               proper
               for
               the
               divers
               Motions
               of
               the
               Hand
               and
               Fore-Arm
               ,
               therefore
               its
               Bones
               are
               joined
               so
               as
               to
               make
               it
               capable
               of
               turning
               round
               ,
               and
               of
               moving
               backwards
               and
               forwards
               ,
               up
               and
               down
               ,
               and
               almost
               every
               way
               .
               The
               Teeth
               are
               the
               only
               Bones
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               except
               those
               of
               the
               Ear
               ,
               which
               are
               not
               covered
               with
               a
               most
               sensible
               Membrane
               :
               And
               if
               they
               had
               been
               covered
               with
               it
               ,
               we
               had
               been
               liable
               to
               continual
               Pain
               .
               Now
               this
               Difference
               between
               the
               Teeth
               and
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               Bones
               could
               not
               be
               Chance
               ,
               but
               a
               wise
               Contrivance
               .
               I
               might
               also
               make
               out
               this
               further
               ,
               by
               considering
               the
               different
               Contrivance
               betwixt
               the
               Teeth
               of
               Men
               and
               other
               Animals
               ,
               and
               those
               of
               other
               Animals
               according
               to
               their
               different
               Natures
               ,
               and
               by
               many
               other
               Instances
               .
               But
               what
               hath
               been
               said
               is
               sufficient
               to
               prove
               ,
               That
               the
               Ends
               and
               Uses
               of
               natural
               things
               are
               real
               and
               not
               fansied
               by
               Men
               ;
               that
               the
               Universal
               Frame
               and
               the
               Nature
               of
               particular
               things
               do
               evidently
               and
               demonstrably
               prove
               a
               wise
               Contrivance
               ;
               and
               consequently
               that
               all
               things
               are
               the
               Effects
               of
               a
               wise
               and
               intelligent
               Agent
               .
               And
               who
               would
               be
               further
               cleared
               and
               perswaded
               of
               this
               Matter
               ,
               let
               them
               read
               the
               Treatise
               which
               the
               Honoured
               and
               Worthy
               Master
               Boyle
               has
               written
               of
               Final
               Causes
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               But
               2dly
               ,
               
                 't
                 is
                 objected
              
               ,
               That
               if
               it
               be
               reasonable
               to
               conclude
               the
               Existence
               of
               a
               Deity
               ,
               or
               some
               supreme
               and
               intelligent
               powerful
               Being
               from
               the
               seeming
               Order
               and
               Contrivance
               of
               some
               things
               ,
               it
               is
               as
               reasonable
               to
               conclude
               that
               there
               is
               no
               such
               being
               from
               the
               manifest
               Irregularity
               and
               Vselessness
               of
               other
               things
               ,
               for
               if
               there
               was
               a
               God
               ,
               or
               any
               Wise
               Almighty
               Being
               ,
               as
               is
               pretended
               ,
               all
               his
               Works
               would
               bear
               Prints
               of
               his
               Wisdom
               .
               But
               we
               see
               many
               things
               which
               have
               no
               manner
               of
               Contrivance
               in
               them
               ,
               which
               are
               of
               no
               Vse
               ,
               but
               rather
               prejudicial
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               have
               Reason
               to
               believe
               ,
               that
               the
               rest
               happened
               by
               Chance
               and
               not
               by
               Design
               .
               Thus
               
               (
               
                 say
                 they
              
               )
               the
               Spleen
               is
               the
               Occasion
               of
               much
               Pain
               and
               Trouble
               ,
               and
               is
               of
               it self
               of
               no
               Vse
               ,
               for
               several
               Animals
               have
               been
               known
               to
               live
               without
               it
               .
               Mountains
               are
               irregular
               and
               ill
               contrived
               Heaps
               ,
               which
               spoil
               the
               Surface
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
               and
               render
               it
               less
               beautiful
               ,
               and
               are
               very
               inconvenient
               for
               Travelling
               and
               Commerce
               .
               If
               this
               Terraqueous
               Globe
               had
               been
               the
               Work
               of
               a
               wise
               Agent
               ,
               there
               would
               not
               have
               been
               more
               Water
               than
               dry
               Land
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               only
               proper
               Habitation
               for
               Man
               and
               Terrestrial
               Animals
               ,
               which
               are
               by
               much
               preferrable
               to
               Fishes
               :
               Nor
               would
               there
               have
               been
               so
               much
               Ground
               laid
               wast
               which
               cannot
               be
               inhabited
               ,
               as
               the
               Desarts
               of
               Arabia
               ,
               the
               Lybian
               Sands
               ,
               and
               about
               the
               Two
               Poles
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               6.
               
               To
               all
               this
               I
               answer
               First
               ,
               That
               tho'
               it
               should
               be
               granted
               that
               there
               are
               many
               thing
               without
               Contrivance
               ,
               and
               which
               show
               no
               Design
               ,
               yet
               it
               would
               be
               unreasonable
               to
               deny
               the
               necessary
               Consequences
               of
               what
               doth
               manifestly
               show
               both
               a
               Contrivance
               and
               Design
               ;
               and
               therefore
               whether
               there
               be
               more
               or
               fewer
               Instances
               which
               do
               so
               ,
               it
               still
               follows
               that
               there
               is
               a
               Wise
               ,
               Intelligent
               Being
               ,
               capable
               to
               produce
               them
               .
               2
               dly
               ,
               We
               cannot
               without
               Rashness
               conclude
               ,
               That
               a
               things
               is
               without
               Contrivance
               ,
               because
               we
               cannot
               find
               it
               out
               ,
               nor
               is
               intended
               for
               any
               use
               ,
               because
               we
               cannot
               perceive
               it
               .
               Our
               Knowledge
               is
               very
               much
               limited
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               impossible
               for
               us
               to
               comprehend
               all
               that
               God
               doth
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               great
               Presumption
               to
               condemn
               what
               we
               do
               not
               understand
               .
               No
               wise
               Man
               will
               slight
               the
               Works
               of
               any
               famous
               Mechanick
               or
               Artist
               ,
               tho'
               he
               doth
               not
               presently
               conceive
               what
               he
               intended
               by
               it
               ;
               for
               his
               known
               Art
               and
               Skill
               in
               other
               things
               makes
               it
               reasonable
               to
               believe
               ,
               that
               what
               is
               not
               yet
               declared
               or
               understood
               was
               nevertherless
               well
               designed
               and
               artificially
               contrived
               :
               Even
               so
               ,
               seeing
               the
               general
               Frame
               of
               the
               World
               doth
               show
               so
               much
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               that
               there
               appears
               so
               much
               Art
               and
               Contrivance
               in
               the
               Nature
               and
               Structure
               of
               particular
               Beings
               ,
               we
               ought
               from
               hence
               to
               conclude
               ,
               that
               all
               things
               are
               wisely
               and
               well
               contrived
               for
               excellent
               Ends
               and
               Purposes
               ,
               tho'
               we
               be
               ignorant
               of
               many
               of
               them
               .
               3
               dly
               ,
               In
               passing
               a
               Censure
               and
               Judgment
               
               upon
               particular
               things
               ,
               we
               ought
               not
               to
               consider
               them
               separately
               only
               ,
               but
               also
               with
               a
               Respect
               to
               other
               things
               ,
               to
               which
               they
               have
               a
               Relation
               ,
               and
               with
               which
               they
               are
               conjoined
               .
            
             
               Having
               premised
               these
               things
               in
               general
               ,
               I
               answer
               next
               to
               these
               particular
               Instances
               proposed
               .
               First
               ,
               That
               tho'
               the
               Use
               of
               the
               Spleen
               is
               not
               yet
               well
               known
               ,
               nor
               can
               it
               be
               certainly
               determined
               ,
               nevertheless
               we
               have
               no
               Reason
               to
               think
               it
               useless
               ,
               seeing
               the
               Structure
               of
               it
               is
               as
               curious
               as
               that
               of
               the
               Liver
               ,
               Lungs
               ,
               and
               other
               Parts
               .
               The
               Use
               and
               Function
               of
               several
               other
               Vessels
               were
               not
               known
               till
               of
               late
               ,
               and
               after
               Ages
               may
               discover
               the
               Use
               of
               this
               too
               ,
               which
               certainly
               was
               never
               placed
               in
               the
               Body
               without
               some
               special
               End
               or
               Use
               ;
               nor
               must
               it
               be
               reckoned
               altogether
               useless
               ,
               because
               some
               Animals
               have
               been
               found
               to
               live
               without
               it
               :
               For
               so
               ,
               both
               Men
               and
               other
               Animals
               do
               live
               without
               some
               Parts
               ,
               which
               are
               of
               a
               known
               Use
               and
               of
               a
               special
               Contrivance
               ;
               besides
               ,
               tho'
               the
               Loss
               of
               the
               Spleen
               did
               not
               instantly
               put
               an
               end
               to
               Life
               ,
               it
               might
               have
               shortned
               it
               ,
               or
               rendred
               it
               painful
               and
               uneasie
               ,
               marring
               the
               Oeconomy
               of
               the
               Body
               .
               2.
               
               As
               to
               the
               Mountains
               ,
               they
               are
               very
               far
               from
               being
               useless
               ;
               for
               they
               serve
               to
               collect
               and
               condense
               the
               Vapours
               which
               feedeth
               Springs
               and
               Fountains
               :
               They
               determine
               the
               Winds
               in
               some
               measure
               :
               They
               nourish
               divers
               Plants
               ,
               which
               will
               not
               grow
               upon
               the
               Valleys
               :
               They
               are
               proper
               for
               Metals
               and
               Minerals
               ,
               and
               are
               so
               far
               from
               spoiling
               the
               Beauty
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
               that
               they
               make
               it
               much
               more
               pleasant
               ,
               by
               casting
               it
               into
               divers
               Shapes
               and
               Figures
               .
               3.
               
               There
               is
               as
               much
               dry
               Land
               as
               is
               necessarry
               either
               for
               Man
               or
               Terrestrial
               Animals
               ,
               nay
               ,
               as
               much
               as
               could
               contain
               many
               Millions
               more
               than
               there
               are
               ,
               so
               that
               there
               is
               no
               Reason
               to
               complain
               of
               being
               straitned
               by
               want
               of
               Room
               .
               And
               it
               was
               necessary
               that
               there
               should
               be
               more
               Sea
               than
               dry
               Land
               ,
               partly
               for
               the
               Conveniency
               of
               Navigation
               ,
               and
               partly
               for
               furnishing
               sufficient
               Rain
               to
               water
               the
               Earth
               .
               The
               Ground
               requires
               all
               the
               Rain
               which
               falleth
               ,
               which
               ,
               by
               Computation
               is
               reckoned
               in
               one
               
               Year
               to
               be
               Five
               times
               the
               Quantity
               of
               Water
               in
               the
               Sea.
               If
               therefore
               there
               had
               been
               less
               Water
               ,
               either
               the
               Earth
               should
               have
               been
               without
               sufficient
               Rain
               ,
               or
               when
               it
               rained
               the
               Sea
               should
               have
               been
               too
               much
               emptied
               ,
               which
               would
               have
               been
               very
               inconvenient
               ,
               both
               for
               those
               Creatures
               who
               live
               in
               it
               ,
               and
               also
               for
               the
               Ships
               that
               sail
               upon
               it
               .
               The
               Libyan
               Sands
               ,
               and
               barren
               Desarts
               of
               Arabia
               ,
               &c.
               cast
               no
               Reflection
               upon
               the
               wise
               Contrivance
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
               for
               it
               is
               not
               reasonable
               to
               think
               that
               all
               Parts
               should
               be
               alike
               good
               and
               excellent
               ;
               Diversity
               is
               both
               useful
               and
               pleasant
               :
               What
               is
               wanting
               in
               these
               barren
               Places
               is
               supplied
               by
               the
               Richness
               of
               others
               ,
               which
               are
               also
               rendred
               more
               delightful
               by
               the
               Contemplation
               of
               such
               frightful
               Desolateness
               ,
               even
               as
               Shadows
               contribute
               to
               the
               Beauty
               of
               a
               Picture
               ,
               and
               the
               Brightness
               of
               the
               other
               Colours
               .
               Besides
               other
               Uses
               which
               we
               yet
               know
               not
               ,
               they
               may
               be
               designed
               also
               to
               make
               us
               sensible
               how
               much
               we
               owe
               to
               the
               Bounty
               of
               the
               wise
               Author
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               who
               hath
               made
               so
               much
               of
               the
               Earth
               a
               convenient
               Habitation
               for
               the
               Children
               of
               Men.
               Lastly
               ,
               The
               same
               may
               be
               said
               in
               Reference
               to
               the
               Countries
               about
               the
               Two
               Poles
               ,
               which
               are
               not
               very
               considerable
               ,
               if
               we
               compare
               them
               with
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               habitable
               World.
               And
               besides
               ,
               they
               show
               the
               wise
               Contrivance
               of
               the
               Spheroidical
               Figure
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
               and
               of
               making
               the
               Axis
               so
               much
               shorter
               than
               the
               Diameter
               of
               the
               Equator
               ;
               for
               if
               it
               had
               been
               otherwise
               the
               frigid
               Zones
               should
               have
               been
               much
               more
               large
               ,
               and
               much
               less
               habitable
               .
               There
               is
               no
               way
               to
               Remedy
               that
               Inconvenience
               of
               the
               Country
               about
               the
               Poles
               ,
               at
               least
               in
               our
               Conception
               ,
               except
               there
               were
               Two
               Suns
               ,
               or
               that
               this
               Sun
               was
               made
               to
               move
               without
               and
               beyond
               the
               Tropicks
               ,
               neither
               of
               which
               would
               be
               so
               convenient
               as
               the
               present
               Contrivance
               .
            
             
               7.
               3
               dly
               ,
               It
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 That
                 the
                 World
                 and
                 all
                 things
                 in
                 it
                 were
                 eternal
                 ;
                 which
                 if
                 true
              
               (
               in
               their
               Opinion
               )
               
                 will
                 cut
                 off
                 all
                 Pretext
                 of
                 Contrivance
                 and
                 Design
                 :
                 For
                 if
                 nothing
                 was
                 ever
                 made
                 ,
                 then
                 nothing
                 also
                 was
                 ever
                 contrived
                 ,
                 there
                 being
                 no
                 Occasion
                 for
                 contriving
                 what
                 was
                 already
                 existent
                 .
              
            
             
             
               8.
               
               But
               this
               Opinion
               of
               the
               Eternity
               of
               the
               World
               is
               taken
               up
               without
               any
               Shadow
               of
               Reason
               or
               Probability
               .
               It
               is
               a
               precarious
               Assertion
               ,
               which
               being
               denied
               can
               never
               be
               proved
               .
               2.
               
               It
               contradicts
               the
               Universal
               Tradition
               of
               Mankind
               ,
               which
               hath
               always
               attested
               that
               the
               World
               had
               a
               Beginning
               .
               3.
               
               It
               is
               against
               the
               current
               Testimony
               of
               all
               History
               ,
               which
               traceth
               the
               Origin
               of
               Nations
               and
               People
               ,
               the
               Inventions
               of
               Arts
               and
               Sciences
               ,
               and
               which
               sheweth
               that
               all
               have
               happened
               within
               the
               Space
               of
               less
               than
               Six
               Thousand
               Years
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               most
               probable
               ,
               (
               if
               not
               certain
               )
               Calculation
               ,
               which
               could
               not
               be
               if
               the
               World
               and
               Man
               had
               been
               Eternal
               .
               Therefore
               Lucretius
               reasoneth
               very
               well
               in
               his
               Fifth
               Book
               .
            
             
               
                 But
                 grant
                 the
                 World
                 Eternal
                 ,
                 grant
                 it
                 knew
              
               
                 No
                 Infancy
                 ,
                 and
                 grant
                 it
                 never
                 New
                 ,
              
               
                 Why
                 then
                 no
                 Wars
                 ,
                 our
                 Poets
                 Songs
                 imploy
              
               
                 Beyond
                 the
                 Siege
                 of
                 Thebes
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 of
                 Troy
                 ?
              
               
                 Why
                 former
                 Heroes
                 fell
                 without
                 a
                 Name
                 ?
              
               
                 Why
                 not
                 their
                 Battles
                 told
                 by
                 lasting
                 Fame
                 ?
              
               
                 But
                 't
                 is
                 as
                 I
                 declare
                 ;
                 and
                 thoughtful
                 Man
              
               
                 Not
                 
                   long
                   ago
                
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 began
                 :
              
               
                 And
                 therefore
                 Arts
                 that
                 lay
                 but
                 rude
                 before
              
               
                 Are
                 publish'd
                 now
                 ,
                 we
                 now
                 Increase
                 the
                 Store
                 .
              
               
                 We
                 perfect
                 all
                 the
                 Old
                 and
                 find
                 out
                 more
              
               
                 Shippings
                 improv'd
                 ,
                 we
                 add
                 New
                 Oars
                 and
                 Wings
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 Musick
                 now
                 is
                 found
                 and
                 speaking
                 Strings
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 Truths
                 ,
                 this
                 
                   Rise
                   of
                   things
                
                 we
                 lately
                 know
                 .
              
            
             
               4
               thly
               ,
               Tho'
               we
               may
               fansie
               that
               these
               greater
               and
               permanent
               Bodies
               of
               the
               Planets
               and
               Stars
               may
               have
               been
               Eternal
               ,
               because
               they
               have
               lasted
               so
               many
               Thousand
               Years
               without
               any
               visible
               Change
               ,
               as
               is
               acknowledged
               by
               all
               ,
               yet
               we
               cannot
               bring
               our
               Imagination
               to
               conceive
               the
               Eternity
               of
               successive
               Beings
               possible
               ,
               for
               a
               great
               many
               Contradictions
               and
               Absurdities
               do
               follow
               it
               .
               If
               Mankind
               had
               never
               any
               other
               Production
               than
               what
               is
               
               now
               ,
               then
               there
               was
               never
               any
               Man
               who
               had
               not
               a
               Beginning
               :
               And
               if
               all
               had
               a
               Beginning
               ,
               then
               Mankind
               cannot
               be
               Eternal
               ;
               therefore
               we
               must
               of
               Necessity
               acknowledge
               the
               Production
               of
               some
               one
               or
               more
               (
               from
               whom
               the
               rest
               have
               descended
               )
               in
               a
               manner
               different
               from
               the
               present
               :
               And
               there
               is
               no
               Account
               of
               the
               first
               Production
               of
               Mankind
               so
               reasonable
               or
               so
               probable
               ,
               not
               to
               say
               now
               certain
               ,
               as
               that
               which
               declares
               the
               immediate
               Creation
               of
               one
               Man
               and
               one
               Woman
               by
               the
               Hand
               of
               God.
               The
               like
               may
               be
               said
               of
               all
               other
               succesive
               Beings
               .
               But
               5
               thly
               and
               Lastly
               ,
               Tho'
               we
               should
               force
               our selves
               to
               grant
               the
               Eternity
               of
               the
               World
               and
               all
               particular
               Beings
               ,
               yet
               it
               could
               not
               be
               reasonably
               inferred
               from
               thence
               that
               there
               is
               no
               God
               ;
               for
               they
               ,
               who
               desire
               this
               large
               Concession
               ,
               must
               grant
               to
               us
               too
               ,
               which
               cannot
               possibly
               be
               denied
               ,
               that
               there
               have
               been
               from
               all
               Eternity
               Instances
               of
               great
               Power
               and
               Wisdom
               ,
               from
               which
               it
               necessarily
               follows
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               an
               Eternal
               ,
               Wise
               ,
               and
               Mighty
               Being
               ;
               for
               Power
               and
               Wisdom
               must
               proceed
               from
               something
               that
               is
               wise
               and
               powerful
               .
               Therefore
               the
               Old
               Philosophers
               ,
               who
               did
               hold
               the
               Eternity
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               did
               believe
               it
               a
               necessary
               Emanation
               from
               the
               Being
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               thought
               not
               that
               it
               did
               ,
               or
               could
               subsist
               without
               him
               .
            
             
               9.
               
               It
               is
               4
               thly
               ,
               Objected
               against
               the
               Being
               of
               a
               God
               ,
               
                 That
                 if
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 render
                 the
                 Being
                 of
                 other
                 things
                 impossible
                 ;
                 for
                 if
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 infinite
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 infinite
                 there
                 could
                 be
                 no
                 Room
                 for
                 the
                 Existence
                 of
                 other
                 things
                 .
              
               But
               this
               Argument
               proceeds
               upon
               a
               mistaken
               Notion
               of
               the
               Infinite
               Nature
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               was
               some
               gross
               material
               Substance
               vastly
               extended
               ,
               whereas
               he
               is
               a
               Spirit
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               a
               Substance
               altogether
               different
               from
               Matter
               or
               Body
               ,
               who
               hath
               not
               the
               Properties
               of
               it
               ;
               and
               consequently
               ,
               we
               cannot
               draw
               just
               or
               true
               Conclusions
               about
               him
               from
               what
               is
               observable
               in
               them
               .
               God's
               Infinity
               is
               not
               infinite
               Extension
               ;
               and
               tho'
               his
               Omnipresence
               hath
               some
               Resemblance
               to
               it
               ,
               yet
               the
               Spirituality
               of
               his
               Nature
               makes
               his
               Ubiquity
               and
               Omnipresence
               in
               no
               wise
               
               incompatible
               with
               the
               Existence
               of
               Material
               Beings
               of
               Corporeal
               Substances
               :
               Nay
               ,
               they
               are
               only
               sustained
               by
               the
               Infinity
               of
               his
               Essence
               ;
               and
               therefore
               the
               Existence
               of
               so
               many
               finite
               things
               ,
               which
               have
               no
               Self-Sufficiency
               to
               exist
               of
               themselves
               ,
               doth
               evidently
               demonstrate
               the
               Existence
               of
               an
               Infinite
               Essence
               as
               the
               Cause
               and
               Upholder
               of
               them
               .
            
             
               It
               would
               be
               tedious
               to
               consider
               all
               the
               little
               Cavils
               and
               Objections
               of
               Atheists
               against
               a
               Deity
               .
               The
               most
               material
               are
               reducible
               to
               those
               we
               have
               now
               proposed
               ,
               and
               may
               be
               refuted
               by
               the
               Answers
               which
               we
               have
               now
               given
               ;
               for
               they
               proceed
               either
               from
               wrong
               Apprehensions
               of
               the
               Nature
               and
               Attributes
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               from
               Ignorance
               of
               the
               Nature
               and
               Relation
               of
               other
               things
               ,
               or
               from
               an
               obstinate
               Resistance
               of
               what
               is
               
                 de
                 facto
              
               evident
               ;
               and
               all
               of
               them
               demonstrate
               their
               Unreasonableness
               and
               Absurdity
               ,
               which
               doth
               further
               appear
               by
               the
               absurd
               and
               unreasonable
               Consequences
               of
               not
               acknowledging
               a
               Deity
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               second
               Way
               of
               proving
               it
               .
            
             
               10.
               
               For
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               no
               God
               ,
               then
               it
               necessarily
               follows
               ,
               That
               either
               every
               thing
               made
               it self
               ,
               or
               that
               all
               things
               came
               from
               nothing
               ,
               and
               that
               there
               are
               Effects
               which
               have
               no
               Cause
               ;
               for
               there
               is
               Life
               ,
               Sense
               ,
               and
               Reason
               ,
               without
               any
               being
               capable
               to
               produce
               them
               :
               And
               there
               are
               artificial
               Contrivances
               ,
               regular
               Proceedings
               ,
               and
               wise
               Adaptation
               of
               things
               to
               Ends
               and
               Purposes
               far
               above
               the
               Power
               and
               Capacity
               of
               any
               thing
               which
               is
               existent
               .
               These
               and
               many
               such
               things
               follow
               the
               Denial
               of
               a
               God
               ,
               which
               are
               not
               only
               great
               Difficulties
               ,
               but
               such
               gross
               and
               senseless
               Absurdities
               as
               no
               thinking
               Person
               can
               either
               swallow
               or
               digest
               .
            
             
               As
               therefore
               Deformity
               sheweth
               Shape
               and
               Proportion
               beautiful
               ,
               so
               the
               Belief
               of
               a
               Deity
               appears
               more
               reasonable
               ,
               by
               the
               Absurdity
               and
               Unreasonableness
               of
               Atheism
               ,
               which
               contradicts
               common
               Sense
               ,
               overturns
               the
               agreed
               Principles
               of
               Knowledge
               and
               Reason
               ,
               confound
               Chance
               and
               Contrivance
               ,
               Accident
               and
               Design
               ,
               and
               which
               has
               its
               Recourse
               to
               Wild
               ,
               Romantick
               ,
               and
               most
               precarious
               Hypotheses
               ;
               for
               they
               cannot
               shun
               the
               owning
               an
               Infinity
               ,
               and
               the
               Existence
               of
               something
               from
               Eternity
               ;
               and
               they
               are
               forced
               to
               acknowledge
               that
               things
               are
               framed
               according
               to
               the
               Rules
               of
               Art
               and
               Proportion
               .
               Now
               is
               it
               not
               more
               reasonable
               to
               ascribe
               the
               constant
               Observance
               of
               these
               Rules
               to
               an
               Intelligent
               Being
               ,
               than
               to
               Chance
               or
               no
               Cause
               ?
               For
               there
               is
               no
               middle
               thing
               betwixt
               them
               to
               be
               fixed
               on
               ;
               either
               the
               one
               or
               the
               other
               must
               take
               place
               .
               Nature
               ,
               which
               they
               talk
               so
               much
               
               of
               ,
               is
               an
               
                 Obscure
                 Word
              
               for
               concealing
               their
               Thoughts
               and
               Sentiments
               :
               If
               by
               this
               they
               mean
               something
               distinct
               from
               Matter
               ,
               which
               moves
               and
               directs
               it
               ,
               their
               Nature
               is
               God
               in
               Disguise
               ;
               and
               if
               they
               must
               flee
               to
               this
               for
               a
               rational
               Account
               of
               the
               Production
               of
               things
               ,
               why
               do
               they
               quarrel
               at
               the
               Word
               [
               God
               ]
               which
               carries
               a
               clearer
               Idea
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Sense
               of
               which
               all
               the
               World
               is
               agreed
               .
               Tho'
               this
               Nature
               of
               theirs
               be
               equivalent
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               more
               mysterious
               ,
               and
               therefore
               it
               smells
               of
               some
               designed
               Perverseness
               ,
               as
               if
               by
               the
               Use
               of
               this
               Word
               ,
               and
               the
               Disuse
               of
               the
               other
               ,
               they
               would
               turn
               Peoples
               Thoughts
               from
               God
               ,
               and
               God
               from
               the
               Honour
               of
               being
               the
               Creator
               of
               all
               things
               .
               But
               if
               by
               Nature
               they
               only
               understand
               
                 certain
                 Laws
              
               ,
               and
               I
               know
               not
               what
               Ordinances
               ,
               by
               which
               things
               must
               move
               ;
               is
               this
               sufficient
               to
               explain
               the
               first
               Productions
               of
               things
               ?
               For
               tho'
               it
               should
               be
               true
               that
               Matter
               cannot
               move
               but
               according
               to
               these
               Laws
               ,
               and
               that
               moving
               by
               them
               in
               process
               of
               Time
               the
               Work
               could
               have
               been
               produced
               as
               it
               is
               at
               present
               ,
               after
               that
               
                 Romantick
                 Manner
              
               of
               Cartesius
               ;
               yet
               there
               was
               no
               Necessity
               that
               Matter
               should
               move
               at
               all
               ,
               nor
               could
               it
               move
               of
               it self
               .
               Wherefore
               whether
               they
               will
               or
               not
               ,
               they
               must
               own
               the
               Existence
               of
               something
               prior
               to
               Matter
               it self
               ,
               or
               the
               Motion
               of
               it
               ,
               which
               Cartesius
               was
               sensible
               of
               ,
               and
               therefore
               he
               could
               not
               build
               his
               airy
               and
               fanciful
               System
               ,
               without
               supposing
               the
               Existence
               of
               a
               Deity
               .
               And
               if
               he
               had
               kept
               his
               Eye
               upon
               this
               infinitely
               perfect
               Being
               ,
               and
               considered
               the
               World
               and
               all
               particular
               things
               as
               his
               Work
               ;
               if
               instead
               of
               a
               vain
               curious
               Enquiry
               how
               things
               should
               have
               been
               ,
               if
               Matter
               once
               moved
               had
               been
               left
               to
               it self
               ,
               he
               had
               shewed
               how
               things
               are
               ,
               and
               explained
               the
               admirable
               Contrivance
               of
               them
               ,
               if
               he
               had
               given
               us
               a
               History
               of
               Nature
               ,
               and
               described
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               God
               in
               the
               Make
               ,
               Order
               ,
               Place
               ,
               and
               Relation
               of
               particular
               things
               ;
               I
               say
               ,
               If
               Cartesius
               had
               done
               this
               ,
               as
               he
               seems
               to
               have
               been
               able
               for
               it
               ,
               the
               World
               would
               have
               been
               more
               obliged
               to
               him
               ,
               his
               Philosophy
               should
               have
               been
               more
               rational
               and
               satisfactory
               ,
               more
               useful
               to
               others
               ,
               and
               of
               more
               lasting
               Fame
               to
               himself
               ;
               Whereas
               now
               by
               turning
               his
               Thoughts
               from
               the
               Ends
               and
               Uses
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               the
               Author
               and
               Contriver
               ,
               he
               has
               turn'd
               his
               Back
               upon
               the
               only
               true
               Light
               that
               was
               to
               have
               guided
               him
               ;
               he
               has
               grop'd
               in
               the
               Dark
               and
               produced
               nothing
               but
               useless
               Conjectures
               and
               the
               extravagant
               Ravings
               of
               his
               Brain
               ,
               which
               tickled
               Men
               at
               first
               ,
               as
               all
               Novelties
               use
               to
               do
               ,
               but
               which
               wise
               ,
               inquisitive
               ,
               and
               thinking
               
               Men
               will
               ,
               and
               must
               disgust
               because
               there
               wants
               Solidity
               .
            
             
               As
               God
               is
               the
               first
               Cause
               and
               Author
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               so
               the
               Belief
               of
               a
               Deity
               is
               the
               Foundation
               of
               all
               solid
               Reason
               ;
               what
               is
               not
               built
               on
               this
               is
               Nonsense
               and
               Absurdity
               .
               I
               know
               the
               Atheists
               arrogate
               to
               themselves
               Wit
               ,
               and
               Judgment
               ,
               and
               Knowledge
               above
               others
               ,
               and
               do
               think
               that
               it
               is
               the
               Ignorance
               and
               Credulity
               of
               the
               
                 Bulk
                 of
                 Mankind
              
               (
               as
               one
               lately
               Words
               it
               )
               which
               make
               them
               to
               be
               of
               another
               Belief
               .
               But
               I
               pray
               you
               ,
               must
               they
               carry
               away
               Sense
               and
               Understanding
               from
               others
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               so
               vain
               as
               to
               think
               it
               ?
               Do
               not
               those
               in
               Bedlam
               think
               themselves
               wiser
               than
               others
               ?
               All
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               World
               are
               Fools
               in
               their
               Eyes
               ,
               and
               those
               who
               keep
               them
               there
               ,
               not
               only
               Fools
               ,
               but
               Oppressors
               and
               most
               unjust
               .
               And
               yet
               Atheism
               is
               a
               more
               extravagant
               and
               pernicious
               Madness
               ,
               which
               it
               is
               the
               Interest
               of
               Mankind
               to
               keep
               from
               spreading
               .
               But
               alas
               it
               has
               been
               suffered
               to
               take
               Root
               and
               spread
               ,
               nay
               it
               is
               cherished
               and
               encouraged
               .
               Men
               walk
               the
               Streets
               and
               publickly
               act
               this
               Madness
               .
               In
               every
               Corner
               they
               throw
               their
               Squibbs
               of
               Scoffs
               and
               Drollery
               against
               the
               Almighty
               Author
               of
               their
               Being
               .
               They
               meet
               in
               Companies
               to
               concert
               how
               they
               may
               most
               wittily
               expose
               him
               ,
               and
               what
               is
               the
               readiest
               way
               to
               render
               him
               ridiculous
               in
               the
               Eyes
               of
               others
               :
               A
               Clinch
               ,
               or
               Jest
               ,
               or
               puny
               Witticism
               is
               received
               and
               entertained
               as
               an
               useful
               Discovery
               ,
               and
               carried
               about
               with
               all
               Diligence
               .
               Tho'
               there
               be
               no
               Reason
               why
               the
               Atheist
               should
               be
               a
               Zealot
               ,
               there
               being
               no
               Obligation
               on
               him
               to
               propagate
               his
               Opinions
               ;
               and
               because
               the
               less
               they
               are
               entertained
               by
               others
               he
               is
               the
               more
               secure
               ;
               yet
               no
               Sect
               is
               become
               more
               zealous
               of
               late
               than
               Atheists
               ,
               and
               their
               Fraternity
               ,
               who
               maintain
               their
               Cause
               by
               an
               affronted
               Impudence
               ,
               by
               the
               Exercise
               of
               a
               froathy
               Wit
               more
               than
               Reason
               ,
               and
               by
               Jesting
               and
               Drollery
               rather
               than
               serious
               Argument
               .
               And
               is
               this
               a
               reasonable
               or
               commendable
               way
               of
               handling
               a
               Matter
               so
               serious
               and
               important
               ?
               Should
               Impudence
               run
               down
               Evidence
               ?
               Should
               a
               Jest
               or
               a
               Witticism
               be
               of
               more
               Weight
               than
               the
               Dictates
               of
               common
               Sense
               and
               sober
               Reason
               ?
               If
               these
               Men
               were
               capable
               of
               Counsel
               ,
               I
               would
               ask
               them
               whether
               they
               are
               absolutely
               sure
               that
               they
               are
               in
               the
               right
               ?
               Are
               they
               able
               to
               demonstrate
               that
               there
               is
               no
               God
               ?
               This
               is
               more
               than
               any
               ever
               yet
               pretended
               to
               ;
               and
               if
               they
               cannot
               pretend
               to
               this
               ,
               ought
               they
               not
               to
               walk
               very
               cautiously
               ,
               If
               there
               be
               a
               God
               ,
               as
               there
               may
               ,
               for
               any
               Assurance
               they
               have
               to
               the
               contrary
               ,
               what
               then
               have
               they
               to
               expect
               for
               these
               
               bold
               Insults
               and
               that
               wicked
               Opposition
               to
               him
               ?
               A
               modest
               Enquiry
               into
               Truth
               ,
               even
               into
               the
               Existence
               of
               God
               himself
               ,
               is
               reasonable
               ,
               and
               cannot
               offend
               either
               God
               or
               Man
               :
               But
               Spite
               and
               Insolency
               cannot
               by
               any
               Means
               be
               justified
               .
               It
               shews
               a
               Desire
               that
               there
               should
               be
               no
               God
               ,
               more
               than
               Doubts
               and
               Scruples
               about
               his
               Existence
               ,
               which
               must
               needs
               provoke
               the
               most
               hight
               God
               ,
               and
               draw
               down
               his
               Judgments
               ,
               both
               on
               those
               who
               are
               guilty
               ,
               and
               on
               the
               Land
               which
               cherisheth
               them
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           The
           CONCLUSION
           .
        
         
           THO'
           the
           Existence
           of
           God
           be
           most
           evident
           ,
           yet
           I
           thought
           my self
           obliged
           to
           insist
           the
           longer
           upon
           proving
           it
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           of
           such
           Importance
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           the
           Foundation
           of
           all
           Knowledge
           and
           Certainty
           as
           well
           as
           of
           all
           Morality
           and
           Religion
           .
           The
           Belief
           of
           a
           Deity
           is
           the
           first
           Article
           of
           the
           Christian
           Creed
           ,
           upon
           which
           the
           Truth
           and
           Certainty
           of
           the
           rest
           depend
           :
           And
           therefore
           't
           was
           necessary
           to
           shew
           that
           this
           is
           no
           vain
           Hypothesis
           ,
           or
           imaginary
           Supposition
           ;
           but
           a
           Truth
           loudly
           proclaimed
           ,
           and
           strongly
           confirmed
           not
           only
           by
           Reason
           ,
           but
           every
           part
           of
           the
           World.
           So
           that
           whatever
           the
           Atheist
           may
           arrogate
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           whatever
           Esteem
           may
           be
           paid
           to
           him
           unjustly
           in
           this
           corrupt
           Age
           ,
           yet
           he
           is
           so
           far
           from
           being
           wiser
           than
           others
           ;
           that
           by
           the
           universal
           Voice
           of
           Nature
           as
           well
           as
           Scripture
           ,
           he
           will
           be
           declared
           
             a
             Fool
             who
             saith
             that
             there
             is
             no
             God.
             
          
        
         
           When
           I
           have
           proved
           that
           this
           God
           doth
           rule
           the
           World
           ,
           which
           is
           also
           included
           in
           this
           first
           Faith
           ,
           I
           shall
           then
           consider
           what
           it
           is
           to
           live
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           shall
           shew
           how
           necessary
           it
           is
           to
           the
           being
           just
           and
           righteous
           .
           And
           I
           hope
           that
           there
           is
           such
           Satisfaction
           given
           in
           these
           Essays
           ,
           that
           who
           shall
           read
           them
           will
           be
           desirous
           of
           the
           other
           that
           are
           promised
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           PAge
           1.
           line
           2.
           read
           is
           ,
           p.
           3.
           l.
           7.
           r.
           
             Scripture
             ▪
          
           p.
           7.
           l.
           29.
           r.
           Principle
           ,
           p.
           12.
           l.
           12.
           r.
           
             so
             well
          
           ,
           p.
           13.
           l.
           17.
           for
           touchos
           r.
           touch
           ,
           p.
           19.
           l.
           8.
           f.
           Squares
           r.
           Square
           .
           p.
           23.
           l.
           ult
           .
           for
           is
           r.
           are
           ,
           p.
           40
           ▪
           l.
           31.
           r.
           
             as
             well
          
           ,
           ibid.
           l.
           33
           ,
           r.
           
             a
             part
          
           ,
           p.
           42
           ▪
           l.
           25.
           r.
           the
           f.
           
             their
             ▪
          
           p.
           43.
           l.
           22.
           r.
           exceedingly
           ,
           p.
           45.
           l.
           13.
           f.
           
             be
             ▪
          
           r.
           is
           ,
           p.
           46.
           l.
           21.
           f.
           should
           r.
           would
           ,
           p.
           47.
           l.
           14.
           r.
           conjoined
           ,
           p.
           57.
           l.
           20.
           r.
           there
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A33547-e1500
           
             *
             
               By
               the
               latest
               and
               exactest
               Calculation
               of
               the
               Modern
               Mathematicians
               ,
               there
               goes
               69
               Miles
               and
               a
               Tenth
               Part
               to
               a
               Degree
               ,
               so
               that
               the
               Periphery
               or
               Circumference
               of
               the
               Earth
               is
               24876
               English
               Miles
               .
               It
               s
               Diameter
               is
               7915
               ,
               and
               the
               whole
               Solidity
               may
               be
               reckoned
               Two
               Hundred
               Fifty
               Nine
               Thousand
               Five
               Hundred
               Seventy
               and
               Eight
               Million
               ,
               Nine
               Hundred
               Thrity
               Three
               Thousand
               Four
               Hundred
               and
               Five
               Cubical
               Miles
               .
               The
               Earth
               is
               greater
               than
               Mercury
               ,
               or
               Mars
               ;
               for
               the
               First
               bears
               only
               the
               Proportion
               to
               it
               ,
               which
               an
               100
               hath
               to
               347
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               of
               an
               100
               to
               334
               ;
               That
               is
               ,
               the
               Earth
               is
               more
               than
               three
               times
               greater
               than
               any
               of
               these
               :
               But
               then
               it
               is
               much
               less
               than
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               Planets
               ;
               for
               in
               respect
               of
               Venus
               ,
               the
               Earth
               has
               only
               the
               Proportion
               of
               43
               to
               an
               100
               ,
               to
               Jupiter
               as
               121
               to
               10000
               ,
               to
               Saturn
               as
               296
               to
               10000
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               Sun
               as
               1
               to
               1367631.
               
            
             
               The
               Magnitude
               of
               the
               fixed
               Stars
               cannot
               be
               conjectured
               ;
               but
               there
               are
               Demonstrations
               offered
               to
               prove
               them
               greater
               than
               any
               of
               the
               Planets
               ;
               seeing
               they
               shine
               so
               bright
               at
               amost
               stupendius
               Distance
               :
               For
               a
               Telescope
               which
               multiplieth
               200
               times
               ,
               doth
               not
               shew
               them
               bigger
               than
               they
               appear
               to
               the
               naked
               Eye
               ,
               but
               rather
               less
               .
               Whence
               it
               follows
               ,
               That
               this
               planetary
               Orb
               is
               but
               as
               a
               Point
               ,
               in
               respect
               of
               the
               Distance
               of
               the
               fixed
               Stars
               ;
               and
               consequently
               ,
               That
               the
               Vniverse
               which
               comprehends
               the
               Planets
               and
               all
               the
               Stars
               ,
               visible
               and
               invisible
               ,
               each
               of
               which
               has
               a
               particular
               Orb
               ,
               must
               be
               Immense
               beyond
               all
               Imagination
               and
               Apprehension
               .