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

2. Those that believe it not, are yet in an uncertainty; and the possibility of rewards and punishments hereafter, keepeth up much of the order that is left.

3. Those few Countries which believe that there is no life to come, (or rather those persons in some Countries) do proportionably increase or excel in wickedness: they give up themselves to sensuality and lusts, to pride, and covetousness, and revenge, and cruelty; and are usually worse than others, as their belief is worse; what maketh Cannibals more savage than other people? What made a Nero, a Heliogabalus, &c. such swine? what made Rome it self at that pass, that Seneca saith, more died by poison of servants hands, (and secret murders) than by Kings: (even in days of such great and common cruelty.) All was, because mens consciences were from under the hopes and fears of another life: and if all were so, then all would live accordingly.

But it is another kind of life which the Law of God in Nature doth enjoin us; it is another kind of life, which I before proved to be all mens duty: and whether the world have sufficient means and motives to such a life, and could be governed but like men, without the hopes and fears of futurity, let sober and considerate reason judge?¹

But it is another kind of life which the Law of God in Nature doth enjoyn us; it is another kind of life, which I before proved to be all mens duty: and whether the world have sufficient means and motives to such a life, and could be governed but like men, without the hopes and fears of futurity, let sober and considerate reason judge?¹