First, confirm it by convincing Arguments, that it may be an undoubted Assurance, a certain Light, directive and persuasive in the course of our Lives. Some Doctrines of Religion, that are of an incomprehensible nature, and should be received with silent adoration for the Authority of the Revealer, are obstinately contradicted by some, upon a vain pretence that nothing is to be believed that will not endure the rigorous inquisition of Reason, and be comprehended by our narrow Minds: but Reason, tho darkened, sees the necessity of a future Judgment. Nature and Scripture testify there is a God, and that he has a Right, and Power, and Will to distribute the rewards of Virtue, and the penalties of Vice to his Subjects. To deny this, is ⟨p. 98⟩directly against the implanted Notion of the Deity in the heart. There is a real difference between Moral Good and Evil, not depending upon Opinion, but arising from the immutable nature of things, and the eternal Law of God. Otherwise, considered in it self, it were no more faulty to murder a Parent, than to kill a Fly; nor to rob a Traveller, than to chase a Deer. But the Conscience of the most profligate wretch would startle at such an Assertion. The disposition and admirable order of the World in its various parts, and the vicissitude of Seasons, declare to the observing Mind, that a most wise, good, and powerful God governs and preserves all things by his vigorous Influence. And can it be that the Divine Providence, so visibly wise and good in regulating the ⟨p. 99⟩course of Nature, should be defective towards Man, the most noble part of the World? And can it be extended to humane affairs, if there be no other than the present state, wherein the Righteous are afflicted, and the Wicked prosper? where Sins of the deepest stain and the loudest cry are unpunished; and the sublime and truly heroic Virtues are unrewarded? nay, where Vice receives the natural reward of Virtue, Honour and Felicity, and Virtue the just wages of Vice, Disgrace and Sufferings. 'Tis necessary therefore that there be a future state, and a righteous distribution of rewards, according to the good and evil of Men's Actions here.
First, confirm it by convincing Arguments, that it may be an undoubted Assurance, a certain Light, directive and perswasive in the course of our Lives. Some Doctrines of Religion, that are of an incomprehensible nature, and should be received with silent adoration for the Authority of the Revealer, are obstinately contradicted by some, upon a vain pretence that nothing is to be believed that will not endure the rigorous inquisition of Reason, and be comprehended by our narrow Minds: but Reason, tho darkned, sees the necessity of a future Judgment. Nature and Scripture testify there is a God, and that he has a Right, and Power, and Will to distribute the rewards of Vertue, and the penalties of Vice to his Subjects. To deny this, is ⟨p. 98⟩directly against the implanted Notion of the Deity in the heart. There is a real difference between Moral Good and Evil, not depending upon Opinion, but arising from the immutable nature of things, and the eternal Law of God. Otherwise, considered in it self, it were no more faulty to murder a Parent, than to kill a Fly; nor to rob a Travellor, than to chase a Deer. But the Conscience of the most profligate wretch would startle at such an Assertion. The disposition and admirable order of the World in its various parts, and the vicissitude of Seasons, declare to the obsering Mind, that a most wise, good, and powerful God governs and preserves all things by his vigorous Influence. And can it be that the Divine Providence, so visibly wise and good in regulating the ⟨p. 99⟩course of Nature, should be defective towards Man, the most noble part of the World? And can it be extended to humane affairs, if there be no other than the present state, wherein the Righteous are afflicted, and the Wicked prosper? where Sins of the deepest stain and the lowdest cry are unpunish'd; and the sublime and truly heroick Vertues are unrewarded? nay, where Vice receives the natural reward of Vertue, Honour and Felicity, and Vertue the just wages of Vice, Disgrace and Sufferings. 'Tis necessary therefore that there be a future state, and a righteous distribution of rewards, according to the good and evil of Men's Actions here.
