A27016:495
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Francis Tyton, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
5. Or if there were no Fear of that, yet Man hath Reason to think before-hand of his Death, and to think of his abode in Darkness, which Beasts have not. To think of being turned to stinking carrion, and to a clod, and so continuing for ever, without any Hope of a Resurrection, would be matter for continual horror to a considering man, which Brutes are not molested with. And wise men that can fore-see, would be tormented more then fools. All this is incredible, that God should make his nobler creature to be Naturally most miserable; and give him Knowledge ⟨p. 140⟩and Affections, and set a Certain Death, and Possible Torment continually before his eyes, to Torment him, without any Remedy! And besides the Hoped Life hereafter, there is none.
5. Or if there were no Fear of that, yet Man hath Reason to think before-hand of his Death, and to think of his abode in Darkness, which Beasts have not. To think of being turned to ••tinking carrion, and to a clod, and so continuing for ever, without any Hope of a Resurrection, would be matter for continual horrour to a confidering man, which Brutes are not molested with. And wise men that can fore-see, would be tormented more then fools. All this is incredible, that God should make his nobler creature to be Naturally most miserable; and give him Knowledge ⟨p. 140⟩and Affections, and set a Certain Death, and Possible Torment continually before his eyes, to Torment him, without any Remedy! And besides the Hoped Life hereafter, there is none.
Quer. 12. Do you think that the Belief of another life, is needful or useful, to the well governing of this world, or not? If you say no, 1. Why then do Infidels and Brutists say, that Religion is but the device of men for the Governing of the world? and that without it subjects would not be Ruled? You confess by this your frivolous objection, that the world cannot be Ruled well without the Belief of a life to come.