Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with…

1. The restless desire of the Soul to an intellectual and eternal Felicity not attainable here, is a strong argument that 'tis reserved to a future state. The Understanding ⟨p. 183⟩is inclined to the knowledge of Truth, the Will to the fruition of Goodness; and in what degrees soever we discover the one, and enjoy the other in our present condition, we are not content. As one that is burnt up with such a Thirst that only an Ocean can quench, and has but a little stream to refresh him. God is the only satisfying Object of the rational faculties, and here our conceptions of him are so imperfect, that we approach nearer the Truth by denying what is inconsistent with his Nature, than in affirming the proper Perfections of it. And the communications of his Love to us inflames the Soul with new desires of fuller enjoyment. This desire of Happiness is essential to Man, as Man. Now 'tis universally acknowledged that Nature is ⟨p. 184⟩not a vain Principle, it produces no superfluous inclinations in any sort of Creatures, much less in Man, and in that which is most proper to him, and in order to the raising him to his Perfection. The natural motion of a Stone has a centre where to rest; Plants arrive to their full growth and beauty; the Beasts have present satisfaction, and are happy Animals. But Man, in whom the two lower lives and the Intellectual are united, is here only in his way to happiness, his best endeavours are but imperfect essays towards it.

1. The restless desire of the Soul to an intellectual and eternal Felicity not attainable here, is a strong argument that 'tis reserv'd to a future state. The Understanding ⟨p. 183⟩is inclin'd to the knowledge of Truth, the Will to the fruition of Goodness; and in what degrees soever we discover the one, and enjoy the other in our present condition, we are not content. As one that is burnt up with such a Thirst that onely an Ocean can quench, and has but a little stream to refresh him. God is the only satisfying Object of the rational faculties, and here our conceptions of him are so imperfect, that we approach nearer the Truth by denying what is inconsistent with his Nature, than in affirming the proper Perfections of it. And the communications of his Love to us inflames the Soul with new desires of fuller enjoyment. This desire of Happiness is essential to Man, as Man. Now 'tis universally acknowledged that Nature is