z s 6 The Favour of God obtained by Wifdam. S ER M. The great creator of all things hath fo V. framed the human nature, that very impor- t...."`) tant confequences in the molt fenfible man- ner affecting us, neceffarily refult from our own difpofitions, and our courfe of acaion, which fhould reafonably determine us to chufe moral good, and efchew evil. And this evidently fheweth that man was made for virtue, fince by his conftitution he can- not be happy without it ; as in the other parts of the creation, from the obvious rela- tions and ufes of creatures, we infer the Al- mighty Maker's counfel and defign. But feeing we are capable of knowing him as the free and intelligent ruler of the world, and of apprehending his favour and difplea- fure towards us according to our works, whether this be difcovered by the principles of natural religion, or the pofitive declara- tions of his word ; thence diftin t and very ftrong arguments are drawn, which fhould induce us to chufe the good, and refufe the evil ; for they reprefent him as a lawgiver, whofe precepts claim the refpect of his fub- jects, as they are enforced by the promifes and threatenings of one who is able to fave and to deftroy. Solomon telleth us, chap. xxiv. r q. that when we have found the know- ledge
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