A26782:94
Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with…
Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with the recompenses of the future state for the cure of infidelity, the hectic evil of the times / by William Bates ...Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with the recompences of the future state for the cure of infidelity, the hectick evil of the times / by William Bates ...
London: printed by J.D. for Brabazon Aylmer, 1676
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. Is it conceivable that the belief of the Deity, if its original were from a civil decree, should remain in force so long in the World? False opinions in Philosophy, adorned with great eloquence by the inventors, and zealously defended for a time by their followers, though opposite to no Mans profit or pleasure, yet have lost their credit by further inquiries. And if the notion of a God were* sophisticate Gold, though authorized with the Royal stamp, could it have endured the Touchstone, and the Fire for so many ages without discovery? could it have past the test of so many searching Wits, that never ⟨p. 97⟩had a share in Government? can we rationally suppose that in such a succession of time no discontented person, when the yoke of Government was uneasy, should disclose the arts of affrightment, and release the People from imaginary terrors, that with courage they might resume their liberty? 'Tis a true observation, no single person can deceive all, nor be deceived by all. Now if there be no God, one person has deceived all by introducing the general belief of a God into the World, and every one is deceived by all, believing so from the Universal Authority of Mankind.
3. Is it conceiveable that the belief of the Deity, if its original were from a civil decree, should remain in force so long in the World? False opinions in Philosophy, adorn'd with great eloquence by the inventors, and zealously defended for a time by their followers, though opposit to no Mans profit or pleasure, yet have lost their credit by further inquiries. And if the notion of a God were* sophisticate Gold, though authorized with the Royal stamp, could it have endured the Touchstone, and the Fire for so many ages without discovery? could it have past the test of so many searching Wits, that never ⟨p. 97⟩had a share in Government? can we rationally suppose that in such a succession of time no discontented person, when the yoke of Government was uneasie, should disclose the arts of affrightment, and release the People from imaginary terrours, that with courage they might resume their liberty? 'Tis a true observation, no single person can deceive all, nor be deceived by all. Now if there be no God, one person has deceived all by introducing the general belief of a God into the World, and every one is deceived by all, believing so from the Universal Authority of Mankind.