CHAP. V.

II. Arg. From the Original of the World,

CHAP. VI.-

p. ss

III. Arg. From the admirable Contrivance

of Natural Things,

CHAP. VII.

P. 69

IV. Arg. From Providence, and the Govern

ment of the World,

CHA P. VIII.

P. 75

Concerning the Excellencies and Perfections

of the Divine Nature: And firft, Ofthofe

which are commonly called Incommunica-

ble; namely, Simplicity, Unity,

Immutability, Infiniteness,

CHA P. IX.

Immenfity,

Eternity.

P. 88

Of the Communicable Perfections of God:

And firft of thofe which relate to the Di-

vine Understanding, viz. Knowledge,

Wisdom, particular Providence, p. 109

СНАР. Х.

Of the Perfections relating to the Divine

Will; Goodness, Juftice, Faithfulness,

CHAP. XI.

P. 119

Of the Perfections belonging to the Power

and Faculties of Acting, viz. Power, Do-

minion, Diftribution of future Rewards

and Punishments,

P. 126

CHAP.

CHA P. XII.

Concerning the Duties of Religion naturally

flowing from the Confideration of the Di-

vine Nature and Perfections: And first,

Of Adoration and Worship,

CHAP. XIII.

P. ISS

Of Paffive Obedience; or Patience and Sub-

miffion to the Will of God,

BOOK II.

P. 209

Of the Wisdom of Practising the Duties

of Natural Religion.

Se

CHAP. I.

Hewing in general, how Religion condu-

ces to our Happiness,

CHAP. II.

P. 249

How it conduces to our prefent Happiness in

this World: And firft to the Happiness of

the

the Outward-man. 1. In respect of Health,

CHA P. III.

P. 274

In respect of Liberty, Safety, and Quiet,

In respect of Pleasure; or the chearful En

joyment of outward Bleffings,

CHAP. VI.

P. 299

In refpect of Honour and Reputation, p. 306

CHAP. VII.

How Religion conduces to the Happiness of

the Inward-man. As it tends to the per-

fecting and regulating of our Faculties;

and to the Peace and Tranquillity of our

Minds,

СНАР. Уп.

P. 323

How Religion conduces to our Happiness in

the next World,

CHAP. IX.

P. 337

T

The Conclufion of the whole fhewing the Ex-

cellency of the Chriftian Religion, and the

Advantages of it, both as to the Know-

ledge and Practice of our Duty, above the

mere Light of Nature,

P. 342

THE

THE

FIRST BOOK:

SHEWING

The Reasonableness of the Principles and Duties of Natural Religion.

ப

Intend by God's Assistance, in this First Book, to treat concerning the Reasonableness and the Credibility of the Principles of Natural Religion, in oppofition to that Humour of Scepticism and Infidelity which hath of late so much abounded in the World, not only amongst senfual Men of the vulgar Sort, but even amongst those who pretend to a more than ordinary Measufe of Wit and Learning.

In my Entrance upon this Work, I am fenfible of what ill Confequence it may be B

to lay the Strefs of a weighty Cause upon weak or obfcure Arguments, which instead of convincing Men, will rather harden and confirm them in their Errors.

And therefore I cannot but think my self obliged in the management of this Argument, to use my utmost caution and endeavour, that it be done with fo much strength and perfpicuity, as may be fufficient to convince any Man, who hath but an ordinary Capacity, and an honest Mind; which are no other Qualifications than what are required to the Inftitution of Men, in all kinds of Arts and Sciences whatsoever.

In order to this, I judge it expedient to premife fomething concerning the several kinds and degrees of Evidence and Affent,and to lay down fome common Principles, which may serve as a foundation to the following Difcourfe.

The feveral ways whereby Men come to the knowledge or belief of any thing without immediate Revelation, are either by fuch Evidence of Things as is more

Simple, relating to the
Senfes,

Soutward.

Inward.

Understanding, arifing either from the Nature of the Things in themselves. Teftimony of others concerning them. Mixed, relating both to the Senfes and Understanding.

I. BY.,