3 66 Of the Blefédnefs of the Pure in Hearé,. SE R Nr. attained, even in this imperfect flate, where- XIII. in we think, and fpeak, and reafon like chil- dren, fuch a knowledge of him, I fav, may be attained, as, to exprefs the clearnefs of it, is called Peeing hint. In the firft place, a firm and affectionate perfuafion of the great truths concerning him, which are the foundations of religion, a clear and diftinct perception of his eternal being, of his independance and abfolute fupremacy, of his infinite power and wifdom, of his moral attributes, and of his providence, preferving and governing the world : And to the per- fuafion and perception fó qualified as 1 have mentioned, that is, clear and diflind, firm and affectionate, purity of heart, contribut- eth very much. It is true, that men of very bad moral characters, of depraved difpofitions, and wicked lives, may have good under - flandings, a greater capacity than better men, of finding out by reafoning and of difcern- ing truth ; but that is efpecially fpeculative truth, or fuch as doth not thwart their vices i and their pallons; but in practical points it is certain, that the affections have a great in- fluence on the judgment, and men are eafily induced to believe as their inclinations direct them. One may venture to fay, without breach of charity, that atheifin, or very im- per-
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