As for that Atheistical conceit, that Religion is only grounded on Policy, and maintained by Princes for the better Tranquillity and Settledness of their States, making it to be only Imperiorum Vinculum, a Bond of Government, that the Common-weal might not suffer from the fury of minds secure from all Religion, it is a fancy no less absurd, than it is impious. For that which hath not only been observed and honoured by those who have scarce had any form of a civill Regiment amongst them, but even generally assented unto by the opinions and practice of the whole world, is not a Law of Policy and civill Institution, but an inbred and secret Law of Nature dictated by the consciences of men, and assented unto, without and above any humane imposition. Nor else is it possible for Legal institutions, and the closest and most intricate conveyances of Humane Policy so much to entangle the hearts of men (of themselves inclinable to liberty) nor to fetter their consciences, as thereby only to bring them to a regular conformity unto all government for fear of such a God, to whose Infiniteness, Power and Majesty they Assent by none but a civill Tradition. It must be a visible character of a Deity acknowledged in the Soul, an irresistible Principle in Nature, and the secret witness of the heart of man, that must constrain it unto those sundry religious ceremonies (observed among all Nations) wherein even ⟨p. 411⟩in places of Idolatry, were some so irksome and repugnant to Nature, and others so void of Reason, as that nothing but a firm and deep Assurance of a Divine Judgement, and of their own Immortality, could ever have imposed them upon their consciences. And besides this consent of men unto Religion in general, we find it also unto this one part hereof touching the Souls immortality. All the wisest and best reputed Philosophers for Learning and staidness of life, and, besides them, even Barbarians, Infidels, and savage people have discerned it. Adeò nescio quo mod• inhaeret in menibus quasi seculorum quoddam augurium futurorum, saith Tully. The Soul hath a kind of presage of a future world; And therefore he saith, that it is in mans Body a Tenant,1 tanquam in dome al•enâ, as in another's house: And is only in Heaven as a Lord tanquam in domo suâ, as in its own.
As for that Atheisticall conceit, that Religion is only grounded on Policie, and maintained by Princes for the better Tranquillity and Setlednesse of their States, making it to be only Imperiorum Vinculum, a Bond of Government, that the Common-weale might not suffer from the fury of minds secure from all Religion, it is a fancie no lesse absurd, than it is impious. For that which hath not only beene observed and honour'd by those who have scarce had any forme of a civill Regiment amongst them, but even generally assented unto by the opinions and practice of the whole world, is not a Law of Policie and civill Institution, but an inbred and secret Law of Nature dictated by the consciences of men, and assented unto, without and above any humane imposition. Nor else is it possible for Legall institutions, and the closest and most intricate conveyances of Humane Policy so much to entangle the hearts of men (of themselves enclinable to liberty) nor to fetter their consciences, as thereby only to bring them to a regular conformity unto all government for feare of such a God, to whose Infinitnesse, Power and Majestie they Assent by none but a civill Tradition. It must be a visible character of a Deitie acknowledged in the Soule, an irresistible Principle in Nature, and the secret witnesse of the heart of man, that must constraine it unto those sundry religious ceremonies (observed among all Nations) wherein even ⟨p. 411⟩in places of Idolatry, were some so irksome and repugnant to Nature, and others so voyd of Reason, as that nothing but a firme and deepe Assurance of a Divine Judgement, and of their owne Immortality, could ever have impos'd them upon their consciences. And besides this consent of men unto Religion in generall, we finde it also unto this one part hereof touching the Soules immortality. All the wisest and best reputed Philosophes for Learning and stayednesse of life, and, besides them, even Barbarians, Infidels, and savage people have discerned it. Adeò nescio quo mod• inhaeret in menibus quasi seculorum quoddam augurium futurorum, saith Tully. The Soule hath a kinde of presage of a future world; And therefore he saith, that it is in mans Body a Tenant,1 tanquam in dome al•enâ, as in anothers house: And is only in Heaven as a Lord tanquam in domo suâ, as in its owne.
- 1Tus• qu•l 1.
