incapable of attaining to Wifdom 255 inanimate creation as to anfwer the ends of SE R Nr. moral government, by diftributing rewards X. and punifhments to men. Whatever the "--"v"""" particular topic be, whether that of a fu- ture Bate, the effential difference of good and evil, a wife, juft, and good providence ruling the world, or whatever other impor- tant principle, the fpirit and manner of the fcorners is the fame ; entering on fubjeds of the greateft moment with abundance of felf- fufficiency, and it may be, a vivacity of imagination inftead of a penetrating judg- ment, they think by halves, and take up with a bare unexamined probability on the fide in favour of which they are prejudiced by their corrupt affections, or, perhaps, with a bold jeft inftead of a folid argument. Indeed, their moral character, that is, the temper of their minds and their conduct, is of effential confideration to give us a juft notion of the fcorners. St. Peter faith in the place already mentioned, they walk af- ter their own luffs. And St. yude, fpeak- ing of the fame perfons, whom he calls mockers, and the apoftles of Chrift foretold they íhould come in the Taft time, he de- fcribeth them thus, they walk after their own ungodly lulls, they are fenfual, not having the fpirit. It is certain mens affeftions have a great
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