330 ate a ant t a* M e Zibitte2ftftibutert Chap, 17. lious to the Creator, and injurious to theHumane Na- e--y-., ture, to take them away as abfolutely vicious. The Lord Jefuswho was pure andperfeá,expreft allhumane Affections according to the quality of the objects prefen- ted to him : and his Law requires us not to mortify,but to purify, confeerate,and employ them for fpiritual and honourable ufes. 4.Philofophy is ineffectual byall itsRulesto form the Soul to true Patience &Contentment under fufferings. Now confidering the variety and greatnefs ofthe chan- ges and calamities to which theprefent life is obnoxi- ous, there is noVertue more neceffary. And ifwe look into the World before Chriftianity had reformed the thoughts and languageofMen, we flail difcover their miferable errorsupon the account of the feeming confu fion in humane affairs, theunequal diftributionof tem- poral goods & evils here below.If the Heatheras faw In- juftice triumphover Innocence,andCrimesworthyofthe fevereft punifhment crown'd with Profperity ; if a youngman dyed who in their efteemdeferved to live for ever, and ávicious perfon lived an age whowas unwor- thy to be born, they complained that theWorldwas not governed according to Righteoufnefs, but rafh for- tune or blindfate ruled all. As thePharifeein theGof pel, feeing the Woman that had been anotorious firmer fo kindly received by Chrifl, faid within himfelf, Ifthis Mon were a Prophet,he would knowwho it is that touches him: So they concluded,if therewere a Providence that did fee & takecare of fublunary things,that did not on- ly permit but difpofe of all affairs, it would make a vi- fable diftinótion between the Vertuous and the Wicked... 'Tis true, God did not leave the Gentiles without r witnefsofhimcfélf;for fometimes the reafons ofhis Pro- vidence in the great changes of the Worldwere focon- fpicuous,that they might difcover aneye in the Scepter,, that.
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