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

3. There is a proportion and harmony in all the works of God: And therefore we that see how much the superior Orbs do in glory excel this dirty Earth, have reason to think that the nature of the Inhabitants is suited to their Habitations; and consequently that they are more excellent Creatures than we, and therefore less sinful, and therefore more happy.

3. There is a proportion and harmony in all the works of God: And therefore we that see how much the superiour Orbs do in glory excell this dirty Earth, have reason to think that the nature of the Inhabitants is suited to their Habitations; and consequently that they are more excellent Creatures than we, and therefore less sinfull, and therefore more happy.

4. Yet after all this, I am neither asserting that all this is so, nor bound to prove it. I only argue, that you who are offended at the numbers that sin and perish, do wrangle in the dark, and speak against you know not what. Conjecture is enough for me, to prove that you do foolishly to argue against experience (of the sin and misery of the most) upon mere uncertainties. You will not censure the actions of a Prince or General, when your ignorance of their Counsels maketh you uncertain of the cause; yea and of the matter of fact it self. The proof lieth on your part, and not on mine: You say, our doctrine is incredible, because so few are saved, and yet confess that for ought you know, taking all together it may be many millions for one that perisheth. I think by proving you uncertain of this, I prove you foolish in your Infidelity. And if you will conjecture then, that there may as many of those other Regions be damned, 1. You show your selves much more harsh in your censures than the Christians are, whose harshness you are now reproving: Yea you conjecture this without all ground or probability. And will you say then, For ought I know it may be so, Ergo, Christianity is incredible? Can a groundless conjecture allow any rational man such a Conclusion?

4. Yet after all this, I am neither asserting that all this is so, nor bound to prove it. I only argue, that you who are offended at the numbers that sin and perish, do wrangle in the dark, and speak against you know not what. Conjecture is enough for me, to prove that you do foolishly to argue against experience (of the sin and misery of the most) upon meer uncertainties. You will not censure the actions of a Prince or Generall, when your ignorance of their Counsels maketh you uncertain of the cause; yea and of the matter of fact it self. The proof lyeth on your part, and not on mine: You say, our doctrine is incredible, because so few are saved, and yet confess that for ought you know, taking all together it may be many millions for one that perisheth. I think by proving you uncertain of this, I prove you foolish in your Infidelity. And if you will conjecture then, that there may as many of those other Regions be damned, 1. You shew your selves much more harsh in your censures than the Christians are, whose harshness you are now reproving: Yea you conjecture this without all ground or probability. And will you say then, For ought I know it may be so, Ergo, Christianity is incredible? Can a groundless conjecture allow any rational man such a Conclusion?