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

The state of Nature requires, that Reason should have the supremacy in Man, and Sense should obey; but if the lower part tyrannises over the superior, and that which was so offensive to Solomon, to see Servants on horseback, and Princes walking on foot, be verified in a more ignoble sense, 'tis the greatest degeneracy and vilification of the humane nature. Now the predominant Object discovers what is the ruling faculty. If sensual things have the superior esteem and love, Sense reigns. And what a contumely is it to Man, when the Understanding, that was made to contemplate Objects of a spiritual sublime nature, is principally exercised for the acquiring of earthly things, and the Affections that are capable of enjoying heavenly ⟨p. 274⟩delights, run with a full stream in the channels of Concupiscence. As if the reasonable Soul were not for higher ends than to be the slave of the Body, to be employed to digest the confused Chaos of Meats and Drinks wherewith 'tis filled, to give it a quicker perception of its pleasures, & keep it from corruption for a time. If sensual Wretches could obtain what the unclean Spirits desired of our Saviour, when disposest of the man in the Gospel, they would request in their last hour when they are ready to be cast out of the Body, permission to enter into the Swine, and wallow in mire and filthiness. This is an indignity equally dishonourable and pernicious. As 'twas said of Caligula, Nec Servum meliorem, nec deteriorem Dominum, while a Subject none ⟨p. 275⟩more obedient, but when advanced to the Throne, he became the Reproach of the Empire, and Plague of the World: So while the Body obeys the sanctity and sovereignty of the Mind, 'tis an useful Instrument, but if it usurp the Government, the Spirit is depressed in the most ignominious Captivity, and Man becomes like the Beasts that perish. Briefly, the common fountains of Temptation are Pleasure and Pain that affect the outward senses, and 'till the Soul has an established dominion over the Body, 'tis continually exposed to ruin by fleshly lusts that war against it.

The state of Nature requires, that Reason should have the supremacy in Man, and Sense should obey; but if the lower part tyrannises over the superiour, and that which was so offensive to Solomon, to see Servants on horseback, and Princes walking on foot, be verified in a more ignoble sense, 'tis the greatest degeneracy and vilification of the humane nature. Now the predominant Object discovers what is the ruling faculty. If sensual things have the superior esteem and love, Sense reigns. And what a contumely is it to Man, when the Understanding, that was made to contemplate Objects of a spiritual sublime nature, is principally exercised for the acquiring of earthly things, and the Affections that are capable of enjoying heavenly