Though Philosophers difference Man specially from Brutes, 1by his chief Natural quality, Reason; yet some Divines like rather to do it by his Supernatural excellency, Religion: Probably upon this twofold ground, partly because Religion is the highest and truest reason, & therefore causeth the greatest Essential distinction. What can be more rational, then for the Supreme Truth to be believed, the chiefest ⟨image 3⟩Good to be embraced, the first cause to be acknowledged; and those who were made by God, and live wholly upon him, to improve all for him, and to live wholly to him? The giving up our Souls and Bodies unto God, is called our reasonable Sacrifice, Rom. 12.2. Those that are irreligious, are termed unreasonable, 2 Thess. 3.2. Indeed Atheists are but Beasts shaped in the proportion, and dressed in in the habits of men. It is impossible for man to manifest more want of Reason, then in wandering from God, the Fountain of his being, and the well-spring of all his blessedness: Who ever, unless bereft of his wits, and distracted, would murder his Body, much less his precious Soul for ever? As soon as ever the Prodigal came to himself, he came to his Father: 'Twas a clear sign he had lost his reason, when he left bread in his Fathers house, for busks amongst Swine. Means hearts naturally are (like Nebuchadnezzars) the hearts of Beasts, grazing only in fleshly Pastures, and savouring only Sensual Pleasures, till their reason returneth to them, then they bless and honour the most high God, who liveth for ever, Dan. 4.31. then they mind Spiritual Dainties, and relish Celestial Delights. The irreligious are ⟨image 3⟩Fellow-Commoners with Beasts, the Religious with Angels.
THough Philosophers difference Man specially from Brutes, 1by his chief Natural quality, Reason; yet some Divines like rather to do it by his Supernatural excellency, Religion: Probably upon this twofold ground, partly because Religion is the highest and truest reason, & therefore causeth the greatest Essential distiction. What can be more rational, then for the Supreme Truth to be believed, the chiefest ⟨image 3⟩Good to be embraced, the first cause to be acknowledged; and those who were made by God, and live wholly upon him, to improve all for him, and to live wholly to him? The giving up our Souls and Bodies unto God, is called our reasonable Sacrifice, Rom. 12.2. Those that are irreligious, are termed unreasonable, 2 Thess. 3.2. Indeed Atheists are but Beasts shaped in the proportion, and drest in in the habits of men. It is impossible for man to manifest more want of Reason, then in wandring from God, the Fountain of his being, and the well-spring of all his blessedness: Who ever, unless bereft of his wits, and distracted, would murther his Body, much less his precious Soul for ever? As soon as ever the Prodigal came to himself, he came to his Father: 'Twas a clear sign he had lost his reason, when he left bread in his Fathers house, for busks amongst Swine. Means hearts naturally are (like Nebuchadnezzars) the hearts of Beasts, grazing onely in fleshly Pastures, and savouring onely Sensual Pleasures, till their reason returneth to them, then they bless and honor the most high God, who liveth for ever, Dan. 4.31. then they minde Spiritual Dainties, and rellish Celestial Delights. The irreligious are ⟨image 3⟩Fellow-Commoners with Beasts, the Religious with Angels.
- 1Lactant. de ira Dei.
