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

3. Those who suffer the loss of all that is precious and dear in the World, and with a cheerful confidence submit to death, that, singly considered, is very terrible to nature, but attended with torments is doubly terrible, and all to advance the Glory of God, cannot enjoy the satisfaction of mind that proceeds from the review of worthy actions, if their being is determined with their life. Now that love to God expressed in the hardest and noblest service should finally destroy a Man, is not conceivable.

3. Those who suffer the loss of all that is precious and dear in the World, and with a chearful confidence submit to death, that, singly consider'd, is very terrible to nature, but attended with torments is doubly terrible, and all to advance the Glory of God, cannot enjoy the satisfaction of mind that proceeds from the review of worthy actions, if their being is determined with their life. Now that love to God exprest in the hardest and noblest service should finally destroy a Man, is not conceivable.

To render this Argument ⟨p. 218⟩more sensible, let us consider the vast multitude of the Martyrs in the first times of Christianity, more easy to be admired than numbered. It would be a History, to describe the instruments of their cruel sufferings, invented by the fierce wit of their persecutors, the various tortures to destroy Life with a slow death, such as were never before inflicted on the guiltiest Malefactors. All which they willingly endured, with an invariable serenity of countenance, the sign and effect of their inward peace, Nay with triumphant expressions of Joy. Now to what original shall we attribute this fortitude of Spirit? were such numbers of all conditions, ages, sects, induced by rash counsel, by frenzy of passion, by a desire of vainglory, or any like cause, to part ⟨p. 219⟩with all that is precious and amiable in the World, for Swords, and Fire, and Crosses, and Wheels, and Racks, to torment and destroy their Bodies? No humane Reasons, neither the Virtue nor Vice of Nature, Generosity nor Obstinacy could possibly give such strength under such Torments. This was so evident, that many Heathen Spectators were convinced of the Divine Power miraculously supporting them, and became Proselytes of Christianity, and with admirable cheerfulness offered themselves to the same punishments. Now this is an extrinsic testimony incomparably more weighty than from a bare affirmation in words, or a mere consent of judgment, that there is an unseen state, infinitely better, and more durable than what is present, the hopes of