The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…

§. 22. And it is very congruous to the case of an afflicted persecuted people, who are misrepresented and slandered in this world, and suffer for the hopes of a better life, to have a Saviour who is the judge of all the world, to justify them publicly before all, and to cause their righteousness to shine as the ⟨p. 258⟩light, and to turn all their sufferings into endless joys.

§. 22. And it is very congruous to the case of an afflicted persecuted people, who are misrepresented and slandered in this world, and suffer for the hopes of a better life, to have a Saviour who is the judge of all the world, to justifie them publickly before all, and to cause their righteousness to shine as the ⟨p. 258⟩light, and to turn all their sufferings into endless joys.

§. 23. And it seemeth exceeding congruous to reason, seeing that the Divine Essence is an inaccessible Light, that we should for ever have a Mediator of Fruition, as well as of Acquisition, by whom the Deity may shine in communicated Glory and Love to us for evermore: and that God be for evermore eminently delighted and glorified in Him, than in us, as he excelleth us in dignity and all perfections; even as in One Sun, his Power and Glory is more demonstrated, than in a world of Worms.

¹Whether all these things be true or not, I am further to enquire; but I find now, that they are very congruous to our condition, and to Reason; and that if they be so, no man can deny, but that there is wonderful Wisdom and Love to man in the design and execution: and that it is to man a very desirable thing that it should be so. And therefore that we should be exceeding willing to find any sound proof that it is so indeed; though not with a willingness which shall corrupt and pervert our judgments by self-flattery, but such as will only excite them to the wise and sober examination of the case.