Serro. CLXV. Faith ingeneral. 431 lieved be of great moment, the Effef of the Faith is proportionable, cxe- teris paribus; and fo according to the degree of the perfwafion : but if the Perlon be indifpofed to the proper Effe&s of fuch a perfwafion by the power of contrary habits, as it often happens, the Effe& will be obtained with more difficulty , and may poffibly be totally defeated, by calling off the perfwafion : for while it remains, it will operate and endeavour and drive to work its proper Effe&. For Example, a Man may believe that Wine is very pernicious to him; and yet a ftrong Inclination to it may render it very difficult for this perfwafion to work its proper effet upon him, which is to leave off Wine, and may at length wholly defeat it, by furnifhing him with fume colour of Argument that may perfwade him otherwife. IV. For the Kinds of Faith they are feveral, according to the variety of Objects or things believed. I thall reduce them all under thefe two General Heads. r. Faith is either Civil or Humane, under which I comprehend the perfwafion of things Moral , and Natural, and Political, and the like : Or, 2. Divine and Religious, that is, a perfwafion of things that concern Religion. I know not whether thefe terms be proper, nor am I very foli- citous, becaufe I know none fitter, and tell you what I mean by them. The fir/f kind of Faith concerning things Humane and Civil, I fhall not (peak of, it being befides my Defign. The fecond, which I call a Religious and Divine Faith, comprehends three things under it, which are diftin&ly to be confider'd. i. A perfwafionof the Principles of Natural Religion, which are known by the light of Nature, as the Exiftence of a God, the Immortality of the Soul, and a FutureState. 2. A perfwafion of things Supernatural, and Reveal'd. 3. A perfwafion of Supernatural Revelation. Thefe I defign fully to handle. Thus I have prepar'd Materials for a large Difcourfe; which tho' it be neceffary, is, I am fenfible, but tootedious, and yet poflìbly more tedious to me, than you. S E R-
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