IN the managing the present subject, I shall first propound such things as clearly discover that a Sovereign Spirit, rich in Goodness, most wise in Counsel, ⟨p. 3⟩and powerful in Operation, gave being to the World, and Man in it. This part of my work may seem needless, because there are very few, if any, declared Atheists. As Monsters remain where they are born, in the desert sands of Africa, not seen, unless sought for; so there are some unnatural Enormities that conscious how execrable they are, conceal themselves in secret, and dare not appear in open view. And of all others, no impiety is so monstrous and fearful of public discovery as Atheism. But, The fool saith in his heart, there is no God. He secretly whispers in contradiction to Nature, Reason, Conscience, Authorities, there is no supreme invisible Power to whom he is accountable. ⟨p. 4⟩And having thus concluded in the dark, he loses all reverence of the Divine Laws, and is only governed by the vicious rule of his carnal Appetites. That many in our times, even of the great Pretenders to Wit and Reason, are guilty of this extreme folly, is sadly evident. They live, as absolute Atheists, only refuse the title, for fear of infamy, or punishment. It will therefore not be unseasonable to revive the natural notion of the Deity. Now to establish this Truth no Arguments are more convincing than what are level to all understandings. And those are,
IN the managing the present subject, I shall first propound such things as clearly discover that a Soveraign Spirit, rich in Goodness, most wise in Counsel, ⟨p. 3⟩and powerful in Operation, gave being to the World, and Man in it. This part of my work may seem needless, because there are very few, if any, declared Atheists. As Monsters remain where they are born, in the desert sands of Africa, not seen, unless sought for; so there are some unnatural Enormities that conscious how execrable they are, conceal themselves in secret, and dare not appear in open view. And of all others, no impiety is so monstrous and fearful of publick discovery as Atheism. But, The fool saith in his heart, there is no God. He secretly whispers in contradiction to Nature, Reason, Conscience, Authorities, there is no supream invisible Power to whom he is accountable. ⟨p. 4⟩And having thus concluded in the dark, he loses all reverence of the Divine Laws, and is only govern'd by the vicious rule of his carnal Appetites. That many in our times, even of the great Pretenders to Wit and Reason, are guilty of this extream folly, is sadly evident. They live, as absolute Atheists, only refuse the title, for fear of infamy, or punishment. It will therefore not be unseasonable to revive the natural notion of the Deity. Now to establish this Truth no Arguments are more convincing than what are level to all understandings. And those are,
