A26782:107
Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with…
Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with the recompenses of the future state for the cure of infidelity, the hectic evil of the times / by William Bates ...Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with the recompences of the future state for the cure of infidelity, the hectick evil of the times / by William Bates ...
London: printed by J.D. for Brabazon Aylmer, 1676
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The true causes why the Creator is not duly acknowledged and honoured for his Works, are either Ignorance, or a guilty neglect and inobservance of them.
The true causes why the Creator is not duly acknowledged and honour'd for his Works, are either Ignorance, or a guilty neglect and inobservance of them.
1. Ignorance in the composure of the World, and of the several beings in it. A Philosopher asked by one, What advantage the instructions of Philosophy would be to his Son? replied, If no other, yet that when he is a spectator in the Theatre, one Stone shall not sit upon another. An ignorant person encompassed with all the varieties of Nature, wherein omniscient skill appears, is insensible as a Stone carved into the shape of ⟨p. 111⟩a Man. Nay the most learned Professors know little more than the several kinds of things, and the causes and manner of some particular effects. How often are they forced to take refuge in occult qualities when pressed with difficulties? or only assign universal causes of things, and sometimes the same for operations extremely contrary? How many mysteries of Nature are still veiled and hid in those deep recesses where we can go only in the dark? How much remains undiscovered that is truly wonderful in the Works of God? They are the Objects of the Eye and Mind, but what is visible to the Eye is least worthy of admiration. From hence the value of the Works, and the Glory of the Author is much lessened. Besides, the rational ⟨p. 112⟩pleasure of the mind is lost by not discerning the wise order that is infallibly observed in universal Nature. 'Tis not the viewing a musical Instrument, the variety of the parts, and of the strings in their size and length, that produces delight, but hearing the harmonious and pleasant diversity of their sounds contemper'd by the proportion of numbers. Thus 'tis not the sight of the mere outward frame of things, but the understanding the intellectual Music, that springs from the just Laws of Nature, whereby they are perfectly tuned, and the conspiring harmony of so many mixed parts without the least harsh discord, that ravishes the Soul with true pleasure.