The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

4. And it exceedingly helpeth our Belief of the life that's yet unseen, to find that Nature affordeth us undeniable Arguments to prove a future Happiness and Misery, Reward and Punishment, in the general; yea and in special, that the Love and Fruition of God is this Reward; and that the effects of his displeasure are this Punishment: Nothing more clear and certain than that there is a God, (He must be a fool indeed that dare deny it, Psal. 14.1.) as also that this God is the Creator of the rational nature, and hath the absolute right of Sovereign Government: and therefore that the rational Creature oweth him the most full and absolute obedience, and deserveth punishment if he disobey. And it's most clear that infinite goodness ⟨p. 7⟩should be loved above all finite imperfect created good: And it's clear that the rational nature is so formed, that without the hopes and fears of another life, the world neither is, nor ever was, nor (by ordinary visible means) can be well governed; (supposing God to work on man according to his nature.) And it is most certain that it consisteth not with infinite wisdom, power and goodness, to be put to rule the world in all ages, by fraud and falsehood. And it is certain that Heathens do for the most part through the world, by the light of nature, acknowledge a life of joy, or misery to come: And the most hardened Atheists, or Infidels must confess, that [for ought they know there may be such a life:] it being impossible they should know or prove the contrary. And it is most certain that the mere probability or possibility of a Heaven and Hell, (being matters of such unspeakable concernment) should in reason command our utmost diligence to the hazard or loss of the transitory vanities below: and consequently that a holy diligent preparation for another life, is naturally the duty of the reasonable creature. And it's a sure that God hath not made our nature in vain; nor set us on a life of vain employments, nor made it our business in the world to seek after that which can never be attained.

4. And it exceedingly helpeth our Belief of the life that's yet unseen, to find that Nature affordeth us undeniable Arguments to prove a future Happiness and Misery, Reward and Punishment, in the general; yea and in special, that the Love and Fruition of God is this Reward; and that the effects of his displeasure are this Punishment: Nothing more clear and certain than that there is a God, (He must be a fool indeed that dare deny it,