rF Al Serra. CLXX. Reafonablenefr of Divine Faith, ¢67 cannot believe what they will, yet Men may, if they will,confider thingsferioufly and impartially, and yield or with-hold their affent, as they filet) fee carafe, after a thorow fearch and examination. If any Man will offer a ferious Argument againfl any of the Principles of Rehgion, and will debate the matter foberly, as one that confiders the infinite confequences of rhefe things one way or other, and would gladly be fatisted; he deferves to be heard what he can fay : But if a Man will turn Religion into Raillery, and confute it by two or three bold jells ; he dóth not make Religion, but Himfelf ridiculous, in the opinion of all cotifiderate men; becaufe he (ports with his life. So that it concerns every Man that would not trifle away his Soul, and fool himfelf into irrecoverable mifery, with the greateft ferioufnefs to enquire into rhefe things, whether they be fo or no, and patiently to confider the Arguments that are brought for them. And when you are examining theee matters, do not take into conuderation any finale' or worldly Inrerefl : but deal fairly and impartially with your (elves. Think with your felves that you have not the making of things true and falle; that the Principles of Religion are either true or falfe, before you think of them. The truth of things is already fixt; either there is a God, or no God; either your Souls are immortal, or they are not ; either the Scriptures are a Divine Re- velation, or an Impoffure; one of rhefe is certain and neceffary, and they are not now to be alter'd, Things will not comply with your conceits, and bend themfi.lvee CO your intereils. Therefore do not think what you would have to be : but confider impartially what is. * Of rbl3 And if upon enquiry, you be convinc'd that it is the greateft Reafon and Pru- feemnrein dente to believe that there is a God, and a Future State, and that the Scriptureseóyemrrá are the Ward of God ; then meditate much of rhefe things ; attend to the pro. tioned. per confequences of fuch a perfwafion; and refolve to live as becomes chofe who believe there is a God, and another life after this, and that it is bell for you to obey the Precepts of his Word, being perfwaded that whatever is there promi- fed in cafe of Obedience, or threatned in cafe of Difobedience, will certainly be accomplifh'd. And labour to flrengthen your felt in this belief ; becaufe Faith is the fpring of all rational aftions, and the root of all other Graces ; and according to the firength and weaknefs of Faith, your Holinefs and Obedience and Graces will flourifh or decay. And becaufe the matters of Faith do not fall under our Senfes, and the things of another World are invil,ble, and at diflance, and confequently not fo apt to aired u,, as prcfent and fenfible things, we fhould take the more pains with our felves, that by revolving frequently in our minds the thoughts of God, and reprefcnting to our felves the Happinefs and Mifery of another World, they may have as great an Eifel upon us, asif they were prefent to us, and we taw them with our bodily Eyes. Oooz SEEt.
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