32.6 T4t, i atrnottp of Mc Zíbítte Itttttbutty Cha 1 changeablePurity andFelicity of God himfelf. For God nj' they faid is wife and happy by the priviledg of his Na- ture, where s a Philofopher is fo by the difcourfe of Reafon, and the choiceofhis Will,notwithftanding the refiftance ofhis Pallions, and thedifficulties he encoun- ters in the World. Thus to raife themfelves above the Throne of God, lince the rebelliousAngels none have ever attempted betides the Stoicks, 'Tis no wonder, that they were the moft early oppofers of the Gofpel ; for how could they acknowledg God in his ftate of abatement and humility, who exalted their Vertu- Timeone Sto;- o_ us Man abovehim in his Majefty and Glory ' Yet this ci foli lint Phi- is the Set that was molt renowned among the Hea- lofophi. Cic. thens. 5. Philofophy is very defetive, in not-propounding the Glory ofGod as the End towhich all our anions 73 is Ihould finallyrefer. This ihouldhave the fiat and chief eiMmota',ai mph £t£r, place in that Practical Science : For every A&ion re- s aai. limb ceiving its fpecification and value from the End, that which is the Supreme and common to all Actions, muff be fixt b.fore we come to the particular and fubordi- nate ; and that is the Glory of God. Now the defign of Philofophers in their Precepts, was either, CZuorrs cnim Firtt, Toufe Vertue as the .means to obtain Reputa- quiftluePhilo- tion and Honour in the World. This was evident in fophorum in- their Books and Actions. Theywere fick of felf-love m vetur, qui fir ira moratus; and did many things to fatisfie the Eye. They led their ifa animo ac 1 fives as in a Scene, . where oneperfon is within, and a- vitâ conairu- tu.s ut ratio nother is reprefented without, by an artificial imitati- poftular, qt'i on of whatis true. They were fwell'd with prefumpti- difcipiinam fu- am non often- on, having little merit,and agreat deal ofvanity. Now rarionem sci- this refpe& to theOpinionof others, corrupts the inten- entix,fed le- gemvitxputet? t10n, and vitiates theation. ' Tis not fincereVertue, but a fuperficial appearance that isregarded. For 'tis fufricient to that purpofe,to Teem to be vertuous without being
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