Bates - BT775 B274 1675

2 e patron')cf t eZíbíte 2ttrttutcv, hap. I. can't be an end to it felf: for the previfon of the end L lThr,,,) in the mind of the Creator Pets him a work, and is antecedent to the being of the creature. Therefore Prov, 15. 4. the wifewan tells us, that God made all thingsfor him- xom. II. ;5. felt: And the Apojile, that Ofhim, and to him, and through him are all things : to whom be glory for ever. The lower rank of Creatures objectively glorifie God, as there is a vifible denionftrationof his excellent At- tributes in them : Man is only qualified to know and love the Creator. And as the benefit ofall redounds to him, 'tis his duty to pay the tribute for all. By his mouth the world makes its acknowledgment to God. He is the Interpreter of the filent and uninter- rupted Prailes, which the full wire of Heaven and Pfal. 145,t o. Earth renders to him. 0 Lord, all thy works pram thee, (from the moft noble to the leaft worthy) thy Saints blet thee. Thankfulnefs is the homagedue from underffanding Creatures. And from hence it follows, that Man only was in a (late of moral dependance, and capable of a Law. For a Law being the declaration of the Superiour's Will requiring Obedience, and threatning Punifhment on the failure thereof, there muff be a principle of Reafon and choice in that nature that is govern'd by it, a. To dilcover the Authority that enjoins it. 2. To dilcern the matter of the Law. 3. To determine it felf out of judgment and eleëtion to Obedience, as moft excellent in it felf and advantageous to theperformer. Now all inferiour Creatures aremoved by the fecret force of natural inclinations ; they are infenfible of moral engagements, and are not wrought ovin an illu- minative way by the forefight of rewards and punifh- meats : But Manwho is a reafonable creature owes a Row. ra. 1. reafonable f rvice. And it is impofiible that Man fitould be exempt from a Law ; For as the notionofa God,

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