1That this is very desirable no man can doubt: How gladly would men receive a Letter or Book that dropped from Heaven? Or an Angel that were sent thence to tell them what is there, and what they must for ever trust to? Yea, if it were but one of their old acquaintance from the dead? But all this would leave them in uncertainty still, and they would be doubtful of the credit and truth of any such a Messenger: And therefore to have one of fuller Authority, that shall confirm his Word by unquestionable attestations, would very much satisfy men. I have proved, that Nature it self revealeth to us, a Life of Retribution after this; and that Immortality of Souls may be proved without Scripture: But yet there is still a darkness and unacquaintedness, and consequently a doubting and questioning the certainty of it, upon a carnal mind: And it would greatly satisfy such, if besides mere Reason, they had some proof which is more agreeable to a mind in flesh; and might either speak with some credible Messenger who hath been in Heaven, and fully knoweth all these matters; or at least might be certainly informed of his Reports. And indeed, to men that are fallen into such a dark depravedness of Reason, and such Strangers to God ⟨p. 253⟩and Heaven as mankind is,2 it is become needful that they have more than natural light, to show them the nature, the excellency and certainty of the happiness to come; or else they are never like so to love and seek it, and prefer it before all earthly things, as is necessary to them that will attain it. For few men will seek with their utmost labour, or let go all other things to attain a happiness, which they are not well persuaded of the reality of. And though sound reason might well persuade them of it,3 yet reason is now become so blind, and unsound, and partial, and enslaved to the flesh, that it is not fit for such an office, according to our necessity, without some heavenly Revelation.
1That this is very desireable no man can doubt: How gladly would men receive a Letter or Book that dropt from Heaven? Or an Angel that were sent thence to tell them what is there, and what they must for ever trust to? Yea, if it were but one of their old acquaintance from the dead? But all this would leave them in uncertainty still, and they would be doubtfull of the credit and truth of any such a Messenger: And therefore to have one of fuller Authority, that shall confirm his Word by unquestionable attestations, would very much satisfie men. I have proved, that Nature it self revealeth to us, a Life of Retribution after this; and that Immortality of Souls may be proved without Scripture: But yet there is still a darkness and unacquaintedness, and consequently a doubting and questioning the certainty of it, upon a carnal minde: And it would greatly satisfie such, if besides meer Reason, they had some proof which is more agreeable to a minde in flesh; and might either speak with some credible Messenger who hath been in Heaven, and fully knoweth all these matters; or at least might be certainly informed of his Reports. And indeed, to men that are fallen into such a dark depravedness of Reason, and such Strangers to God ⟨p. 253⟩and Heaven as mankind is,2 it is become needful that they have more than natural light, to shew them the nature, the excellency and certainty of the happiness to come; or else they are never like so to love and seek it, and prefer it before all earthly things, as is necessary to them that will attain it. For few men will seek with their utmost labour, or let go all other things to attain a happiness, which they are not well perswaded of the reality of. And though sound reason might well perswade them of it,3 yet reason is now become so blind, and unsound, and partial, and enslaved to the flesh, that it is not fit for such an office, according to our necessity, without some heavenly Revelation.
- 1The most learned men of Greece and Rome, that saw by Reason the Immortality of the Soul, the life to come, and the Perfections of God, were yet so distrustful of their own Reasons, that they spake of the Life to come with great pauses of doubtfulness or darkness: And were many of them glad to run to Oracles, and Augurs and Haruspices to try if they could get any additional light by superficial Revelation. How glad then would they have been of a certain Teacher sent from Heaven?The most learned men of Greece and Rome, that saw by Reason the Immortality of the Soul, the life to come, and the Perfections of God, were yet so distrustfull of their own Reasons, that they spake of the Life to come with great pauses of doubtfulness or darkness: And were many of them glad to run to Oracles, and Augures and Aruspices to try if they could get any additionall light by superficial Revelation. How glad then would they have been of a certain Teacher sent from Heaven?
- 2Falsum est; pejores n•orimur quam nascimur: nostrum istud, non naturae vitium est. Quid enim turpius quam in ipso limine securitatis esse solicitum. Senec.
- 3Saepe Jovem vidi cum jam sua mitre vellet Fulmina thure •dato sustinuisse manum; At si negligitur, magnis injuria poenis Solvitur. Ovid. 5. Fast. Dei injuriae Deo curae. Tacit. Annal. l. 1. Virtutum omnium excellentissima justitia. Ammian. Marcel▪ l. 20.Saepe Jovem vidi cum jam sua mittere vellet Fulmina thure •dato sustinuisse manum; At si negligitur, magnis injuria poenis Solvitur. Ovid. 5. Fast. Dei injuriae Deo curae. Tacit. Annal. l. 1. Virtutum omnium excellentissima justitia. Ammian. Marcel▪ l. 20.
