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

I Will now briefly show what influence this principle of Natural Religion should have on our practice. Tis not a matter of pure speculation, but infinitely concerns all. For whatever inequality there is between Men with respect to temporal Accidents in the present state, yet there is no difference with regard to things future. Their Souls are equally immortal, and capable of the same blessedness, and liable to the same misery. It is most necessary therefore to reflect upon what so nearly touches us. If the eternal state hereafter were not an infallible Truth, but ⟨p. 259⟩only a probable opinion, and the Arguments for and against it were so equal, that the Understanding remained in suspense, yet the importance is so vast, either to enjoy for ever the clear vision of God, or to be cast into an everlasting Hell, that Prudence requires all possible diligence in what-ever is necessary to obtain the one, and escape the other. But this Doctrine is not merely within the terms of Probability, but is clear, by irrefutable evidence. And if those profane Miscreants who endeavour by frigid Railleries to expose the serious care of Salvation to scorn, and by trifling Arguments would fain weaken their assent to this great Truth, had not lost the humane property of blushing, they would be covered with Confusion, whilst they contradict ⟨p. 260⟩not only what the wisest and best Men have unanswerably proved, but what their very opposition confirms. For the doubting of the Soul's Immortality, is a strong Argument that 'tis immortal. Because, only a spiritual being, and therefore not liable to dissolution and death, is capable of reflecting whether it shall continue for ever.

I Will now briefly shew what influence this principle of Natural Religion should have on our practice. Tis not a matter of pure speculation, but infinitely concerns all. For whatever inequality there is between Men with respect to temporal Accidents in the present state, yet there is no difference with regard to things future. Their Souls are equally immortal, and capable of the same blessedness, and liable to the same misery. It is most necessary therefore to reflect upon what so nearly touches us. If the eternal state hereafter were not an infallible Truth, but ⟨p. 259⟩only a probable opinion, and the Arguments for and against it were so equal, that the Understanding remained in suspence, yet the importance is so vast, either to enjoy for ever the clear vision of God, or to be cast into an everlasting Hell, that Prudence requires all possible diligence in what-ever is necessary to obtain the one, and escape the other. But this Doctrine is not meerly within the terms of Probability, but is clear, by irrefutable evidence. And if those prophane Miscreants who endeavour by frigid Railleries to expose the serious care of Salvation to scorn, and by trifling Arguments would fain weaken their assent to this great Truth, had not lost the humane property of blushing, they would be covered with Confusion, whilst they contradict