of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n above_o all_o other_o knowledge_n whether_o natural_a or_o civil_a and_o that_o deserve_o as_o well_o in_o respect_n of_o its_o usefulness_n as_o certainty_n since_o it_o be_v to_o that_o alone_a as_o most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o natural_a faculty_n of_o mankind_n that_o man_n before_o they_o be_v assist_v by_o divine_a revelation_n owe_v the_o discovery_n of_o their_o natural_a duty_n to_o god_n themselves_o and_o all_o other_o as_o cicero_n have_v show_v we_o at_o large_a in_o those_o three_o excellent_a treatise_n de_fw-fr officiis_n de_fw-fr finibus_fw-la and_o de_fw-fr legibus_fw-la and_o though_o i_o grant_v we_o christian_n have_v now_o clear_a and_o high_a discovery_n of_o all_o moral_a duty_n by_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n yet_o be_v the_o knowledge_n of_o natural_a religion_n or_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n still_o of_o great_a use_n to_o we_o as_o well_o for_o the_o confirmation_n as_o illustration_n of_o all_o those_o duty_n since_o by_o their_o knowledge_n and_o the_o true_a principle_n on_o which_o they_o be_v found_v we_o may_v be_v convince_v that_o god_n require_v nothing_o from_o we_o in_o all_o the_o practical_a duty_n of_o reveal_v religion_n but_o our_o reasonable_a service_n that_o be_v what_o be_v real_o our_o own_o interest_n and_o concern_v our_o good_a and_o happiness_n to_o observe_v as_o the_o best_a and_o most_o perfect_a rule_n of_o life_n whether_o god_n have_v ever_o far_o enforce_v they_o or_o not_o by_o any_o reveal_v law_n and_o though_o i_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n have_v high_o advance_v and_o improve_v these_o natural_a law_n by_o more_o excellent_a and_o refine_a precept_n of_o humility_n charity_n and_o self-denial_n than_o be_v discover_v before_o by_o the_o wise_a of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n especial_o as_o to_o the_o great_a assurance_n we_o have_v of_o that_o grand_a motive_n to_o religion_n and_o virtue_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n or_o a_o life_n either_o eternal_o happy_a or_o miserable_a when_o this_o be_v end_v yet_o certain_o it_o be_v this_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o reason_n alone_o by_o which_o mankind_n be_v not_o only_o to_o live_v but_o also_o to_o be_v judge_v before_o the_o law_n give_v to_o moses_n and_o it_o must_v be_v for_o not_o live_v up_o to_o this_o natural_a light_n that_o the_o heathen_n shall_v be_v condemn_v who_o never_o yet_o hear_v of_o christ_n or_o of_o a_o reveal_v religion_n and_o so_o can_v as_o st._n paul_n express_o declare_v to_o the_o roman_n believe_v on_o he_o of_o who_o they_o have_v not_o hear_v rom._n 10.14_o and_o therefore_o the_o same_o apostle_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o same_o epistle_n appeal_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n from_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v see_v that_o be_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o natural_a religion_n and_o their_o fall_a notwithstanding_o this_o knowledge_n into_o that_o gross_a idolatry_n they_o profess_v as_o the_o only_a reason_n why_o god_n give_v they_o up_o to_o their_o own_o heart_n lust_n because_o that_o when_o they_o know_v god_n they_o glorify_v he_o not_o as_o god_n neither_o be_v thankful_a but_o become_v vain_a in_o their_o imagination_n and_o their_o foolish_a heart_n be_v darken_v five_o 21._o and_o so_o likewise_o in_o the_o second_o chapter_n the_o apostle_n far_o tell_v they_o that_o when_o the_o gentile_n who_o have_v not_o the_o law_n do_v by_o nature_n the_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o law_n these_o have_v not_o the_o law_n be_v a_o law_n unto_o themselves_o show_v the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n that_o be_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o reason_n as_o the_o main_a substance_n or_o effect_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a law_n and_o that_o it_o be_v by_o this_o law_n alone_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v judge_v mark_v what_o immediate_o follow_v their_o conscience_n bear_v witness_n and_o their_o own_o thought_n or_o reason_v as_o it_o be_v rather_o to_o be_v render_v in_o the_o mean_a while_n accuse_v or_o excuse_v each_o other_o and_o indeed_o the_o apostle_n suppose_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n as_o a_o rewarder_n of_o good_a work_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o natural_a as_o well_o as_o reveal_v religion_n and_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o save_a faith_n as_o appear_v in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n chap._n 11._o v._n 6._o but_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v he_o for_o he_o that_o come_v unto_o god_n must_v first_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o all_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o but_o i_o need_v speak_v no_o more_o of_o natural_a religion_n and_o how_o necessary_a it_o be_v to_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o reveal_v since_o the_o reverend_n and_o learned_a dr._n wilkins_n late_a bishop_n of_o chester_n have_v so_o well_o perform_v that_o noble_a undertake_n in_o that_o excellent_a posthumous_n treatise_n publish_v by_o the_o reverend_n dr._n tillotson_n now_o lord_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n to_o which_o nothing_o needs_o to_o be_v add_v by_o so_o mean_v a_o pen_n as_o i_o but_o since_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o derive_v from_o god_n the_o legislator_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o moral_a philosophy_n and_o true_a politic_n as_o be_v those_o which_o be_v appeal_v to_o in_o all_o controversy_n between_o civil_a sovereign_n and_o also_o be_v the_o main_a rule_n of_o those_o mutual_a duty_n between_o sovereign_n and_o their_o subject_n it_o be_v worth_a while_n to_o inquire_v how_o these_o law_n may_v be_v discover_v to_o proceed_v from_o god_n as_o a_o legislator_n now_o whereas_o this_o can_v only_o be_v do_v by_o one_o of_o these_o two_o way_n viz._n either_o from_o the_o certain_a and_o manifest_a effect_n and_o consequence_n that_o proceed_v from_o their_o observation_n or_o two_o from_o the_o cause_n from_o which_o they_o be_v derive_v the_o former_a of_o these_o have_v be_v already_o large_o treat_v of_o by_o other_o especial_o by_o the_o most_o learned_a hugo_n grotius_n in_o his_o admirable_a work_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la belli_n &_o pacis_fw-la and_o by_o his_o brother_n william_n in_o that_o small_a posthumous_n treatise_n de_fw-fr principiis_fw-la juris_fw-la naturalis_fw-la and_o by_o the_o judicious_a mounseur_fw-fr puffendorf_n in_o his_o learned_a treatise_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la naturae_fw-la &_o gentium_fw-la as_o also_o by_o our_o own_o countryman_n dr._n sharrock_n who_o have_v all_o undertake_v to_o prove_v their_o certainty_n from_o their_o general_a belief_n and_o reception_n by_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o civilise_a nation_n in_o all_o age_n to_o which_o we_o may_v also_o add_v the_o learned_a mr._n selden_n in_o that_o most_o elaborate_a work_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la gentium_fw-la juxta_fw-la placita_fw-la hebraeorum_n and_o as_o i_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o those_o great_a man_n have_v all_o deserve_v very_o well_o in_o their_o way_n so_o i_o think_v none_o deserve_v great_a commendation_n than_o that_o excellent_a work_n of_o grotius_n the_o elder_a which_o as_o it_o be_v the_o first_o in_o its_o kind_n so_o it_o be_v worthy_a of_o endure_v as_o long_o as_o virtue_n and_o justice_n shall_v be_v in_o esteem_n among_o mankind_n and_o though_o the_o objection_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v bring_v against_o this_o method_n of_o prove_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v not_o of_o so_o great_a moment_n as_o to_o render_v it_o altogether_o fallacious_a or_o useless_a as_o some_o will_v have_v it_o to_o be_v yet_o i_o free_o acknowledge_v they_o can_v chief_o serve_v to_o convince_v man_n of_o sincere_a and_o honest_a mind_n and_o who_o be_v natural_o dispose_v to_o virtue_n and_o right_a reason_n so_o that_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v more_o useful_a as_o well_o as_o certain_a to_o seek_v for_o a_o firm_a and_o clear_a demonstration_n thereof_o from_o a_o strict_a search_n and_o inquisition_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o also_o of_o our_o own_o self_n by_o which_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o we_o may_v attain_v not_o only_o to_o a_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o also_o of_o that_o true_a principle_n on_o which_o they_o be_v found_v and_o from_o whence_o they_o be_v all_o derive_v but_o it_o will_v not_o consist_v with_o the_o narrow_a bound_n of_o a_o preface_n to_o propose_v and_o answer_v all_o the_o objection_n that_o may_v be_v make_v against_o their_o method_n of_o prove_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n from_o the_o consent_n of_o nation_n neither_o perhaps_o can_v it_o be_v do_v at_o all_o to_o the_o universal_a satisfaction_n even_o of_o indifferent_a person_n since_o it_o may_v be_v still_o urge_v by_o those_o that_o do_v not_o admit_v they_o that_o although_o some_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n may_v be_v indeed_o approve_v of_o by_o our_o understand_n and_o
and_o obvious_a observation_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o thing_n without_o we_o which_o we_o daily_o stand_v in_o need_n and_o make_v use_n of_o as_o may_v serve_v to_o prove_v after_o what_o manner_n we_o ought_v to_o make_v use_n of_o they_o and_o whence_o that_o right_o arise_v we_o have_v to_o they_o i_o come_v now_o to_o make_v the_o like_a observation_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n in_o order_n to_o the_o prove_v that_o we_o be_v design_v by_o god_n for_o the_o good_a and_o preservation_n of_o other_o beside_o ourselves_o and_o that_o in_o the_o do_n of_o this_o we_o procure_v as_o far_o as_o lie_v in_o our_o power_n the_o good_a and_o happiness_n of_o all_o rational_a being_n in_o which_o our_o own_o be_v likewise_o include_v to_o perform_v this_o task_n i_o shall_v first_o take_v notice_n of_o those_o quality_n or_o property_n that_o belong_v to_o man_n 1_o as_o a_o mere_a natural_a body_n 2_o such_o as_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o a_o animal_n 3_o such_o as_o be_v peculiar_a to_o he_o as_o a_o rational_a creature_n endue_v with_o a_o high_a and_o noble_a principle_n than_o brute_n viz._n a_o immortal_a soul_n §_o 2._o to_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o of_o these_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o as_o a_o natural_a body_n he_o be_v endue_v with_o these_o property_n common_a to_o all_o other_o natural_a body_n first_o that_o all_o his_o motion_n in_o which_o his_o life_n strength_n and_o health_n consist_v do_v all_o proceed_v from_o god_n the_o first_o and_o original_a or_o cause_n of_o they_o and_o be_v necessary_o complicate_v with_o and_o depend_v upon_o the_o motion_n of_o innumerable_a other_o body_n among_o which_o the_o corporeal_a motion_n of_o other_o which_o do_v often_o limit_v and_o restrain_v our_o own_o be_v first_o and_o chief_o to_o be_v consider_v 2_o that_o from_o they_o as_o from_o other_o body_n motion_n may_v be_v propagate_v indefinite_o and_o which_o do_v not_o perish_v but_o concur_v with_o other_o motion_n to_o perpetuate_v the_o succession_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v contribute_v to_o the_o conservation_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o as_o the_o former_a teach_v we_o that_o a_o particular_a end_n viz._n our_o own_o preservation_n depend_v upon_o our_o common_a or_o joint_a force_n or_o natural_a power_n so_o this_o latter_a instruct_v we_o that_o such_o power_n and_o motion_n of_o particular_a person_n be_v often_o most_o beneficial_a and_o conduce_v to_o the_o common_a good_a of_o all_o man_n the_o first_o of_o these_o conclusion_n forbid_v we_o to_o hope_v for_o or_o endeavour_v our_o own_o private_a good_a or_o happiness_n as_o separate_v and_o distinct_a from_o that_o of_o all_o other_o and_o so_o excite_v we_o to_o seek_v the_o common_a good_a of_o rational_n as_o the_o original_a of_o our_o own_o particular_a happiness_n the_o other_o conclusion_n show_v that_o this_o endeavour_n of_o the_o common_a good_a can_v never_o prove_v in_o vain_a or_o to_o no_o purpose_n since_o it_o concur_v with_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o conduce_v to_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o of_o all_o humane_a creature_n therein_o contain_v and_o far_o that_o in_o each_o complicate_v motion_n as_o well_o in_o that_o towards_o which_o divers_a cause_n concur_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o any_o body_n for_o a_o certain_a time_n as_o also_o in_o that_o whereby_o each_o particular_a body_n concur_v to_o the_o conservation_n of_o the_o whole_a system_n there_o be_v a_o certain_a order_n still_o observe_v whereby_o some_o motion_n be_v necessary_o determine_v by_o other_o in_o a_o continual_a series_n or_o succession_n all_o which_o be_v yet_o govern_v or_o overrule_v by_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o whole_a system_n of_o natural_a body_n and_o although_o this_o sort_n of_o contemplation_n may_v seem_v remote_a from_o common_a use_n yet_o be_v it_o not_o to_o be_v contemn_v as_o altogether_o unprofitable_a in_o humane_a affair_n for_o it_o make_v we_o more_o distinct_o perceive_v from_o some_o certain_a general_a principle_n how_o necessary_a a_o constant_a and_o certain_a order_n be_v among_o those_o cause_n that_o act_n from_o corporeal_a force_n so_o that_o many_o of_o they_o may_v each_o in_o their_o order_n successive_o concur_v to_o a_o effect_n foresee_v or_o design_v by_o we_o and_o far_o show_v we_o a_o rule_n how_o we_o may_v certain_o judge_v what_o cause_n do_v more_o or_o less_o contribute_v to_o the_o effect_v seek_v for_o or_o desire_v so_o that_o from_o the_o natural_a power_n of_o these_o cause_n their_o order_n dignity_n or_o power_n in_o respect_n to_o each_o effect_n be_v to_o be_v determine_v and_o judge_v of_o and_o we_o be_v teach_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n as_o well_o what_o cause_n be_v to_o be_v most_o esteem_v for_o those_o good_a effect_n they_o have_v or_o may_v produce_v as_o also_o which_o be_v most_o diligent_o to_o be_v seek_v for_o the_o obtain_v those_o end_n which_o we_o desire_v and_o by_o which_o mean_v it_o may_v be_v also_o know_v that_o those_o cause_n which_o philosopher_n call_v universal_a viz._n god_n the_o first_o cause_n and_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o celestial_a body_n as_o proceed_v from_o he_o be_v the_o original_a cause_n of_o the_o common_a good_a or_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n a_o part_n of_o which_o we_o either_o always_o do_v actual_o or_o can_v hope_v to_o enjoy_v §_o 3._o but_o omit_v those_o motion_n which_o be_v not_o in_o our_o power_n to_o influence_n or_o alter_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o among_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v in_o either_o our_o power_n to_o do_v or_o forbear_v those_o voluntary_a humane_a motion_n proceed_v from_o a_o universal_a benevolence_n of_o all_o man_n towards_o all_o other_o be_v the_o principal_a cause_n of_o their_o common_a happiness_n and_o in_o which_o every_o one_o private_a good_n be_v include_v since_o from_o this_o source_n proceed_v all_o those_o action_n by_o which_o man_n innocence_n and_o fidelity_n towards_o each_o other_o be_v preserve_v as_o also_o by_o which_o humanity_n gratitude_n and_o almost_o all_o the_o other_o virtue_n be_v exert_v and_o perform_v after_o as_o certain_a a_o manner_n as_o the_o natural_a motion_n of_o the_o spirit_n bowel_n nerve_n and_o joint_n in_o a_o animal_n do_v whole_o proceed_v from_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o circulation_n of_o the_o blood_n which_o judgement_n or_o determination_n be_v take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n due_o consider_v shall_v without_o doubt_n cause_v we_o to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o all_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o contribute_v to_o this_o common_a good_a of_o rational_a agent_n and_o may_v make_v we_o also_o diligent_o to_o take_v care_n that_o the_o same_o be_v observe_v by_o other_o so_o that_o there_o may_v be_v nothing_o want_v that_o can_v be_v do_v by_o we_o whereby_o we_o may_v not_o be_v render_v as_o happy_a as_o our_o frail_a nature_n in_o this_o will_v allow_v since_o right_a reason_n can_v propose_v no_o high_a or_o noble_a end_n than_o this_o of_o all_o our_o moral_a action_n §_o 4._o yet_o whilst_o we_o compare_v the_o aggregate_v body_n of_o mankind_n as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v act_n by_o corporeal_a force_n with_o the_o natural_a system_n of_o other_o body_n i_o be_o not_o unmindful_a of_o the_o manifest_a difference_n there_o be_v between_o they_o viz._n that_o all_o the_o effect_n of_o mere_a corporeal_a system_n be_v produce_v by_o the_o contiguity_n and_o immediate_a operation_n of_o body_n move_v upon_o other_o that_o be_v to_o be_v move_v by_o they_o without_o any_o sense_n deliberation_n or_o liberty_n which_o be_v only_o to_o be_v find_v in_o humane_a action_n in_o who_o motion_n and_o operation_n on_o each_o other_o though_o a_o great_a difference_n often_o intervene_v yet_o for_o all_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o corporeal_a power_n of_o man_n when_o exert_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o same_o law_n of_o motion_n with_o other_o body_n and_o that_o divers_a man_n may_v often_o cooperate_v to_o one_o certain_a effect_n relate_v to_o the_o good_a or_o hurt_v of_o other_o so_o that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o necessity_n of_o a_o subordination_n between_o humane_a motion_n as_o there_o be_v between_o those_o of_o other_o body_n and_o i_o must_v here_o far_o take_v notice_n that_o man_n have_v frequent_a opportunity_n of_o meet_v together_o and_o also_o many_o other_o mean_n by_o which_o they_o may_v hurt_v or_o help_v each_o other_o by_o word_n write_v or_o other_o action_n so_o that_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o their_o life_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o one_o entire_a system_fw-la of_o body_n consist_v of_o several_a particular_a part_n so_o that_o nothing_o almost_o can_v be_v do_v in_o relation_n to_o any_o man_n life_n family_n or_o fortune_n which_o do_v
subject_a of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n the_o first_o be_v freedom_n in_o action_n or_o the_o power_n of_o do_v or_o forbear_v any_o action_n which_o do_v not_o only_o consist_v in_o indifferent_a thing_n as_o when_o a_o man_n of_o two_o different_a object_n choose_v which_o of_o they_o he_o please_v but_o be_v also_o able_a to_o choose_v a_o great_a good_a before_o a_o less_o and_o do_v likewise_o often_o prefer_v though_o unjust_o a_o present_a less_o good_a grateful_a to_o his_o sense_n before_o a_o great_a good_n approve_v of_o by_o his_o reason_n yet_o however_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o man_n by_o the_o power_n of_o his_o reason_n be_v able_a to_o move_v and_o excite_v his_o passion_n of_o love_n and_o pity_n when_o he_o see_v object_n that_o require_v his_o help_n and_o assistance_n nay_o can_v also_o by_o deliberation_n command_n and_o over-rule_v those_o domineer_a passion_n of_o lust_n anger_n and_o revenge_n etc._n etc._n when_o they_o happen_v to_o prompt_v he_o to_o action_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o own_o true_a good_a and_o that_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n and_o last_o man_n be_v capable_a to_o comprehend_v all_o particular_a good_n and_o to_o add_v they_o together_o into_o one_o sum_n viz._n the_o common_a and_o general_a good_a of_o rational_n as_o the_o best_a and_o most_o noble_a end_n he_o can_v employ_v himself_o about_o be_v also_o able_a to_o divert_v his_o thought_n from_o his_o own_o private_a pleasure_n and_o profit_v alone_o and_o fix_v they_o upon_o the_o care_n of_o his_o relation_n and_o friend_n or_o the_o more_o public_a good_a of_o his_o country_n and_o though_o i_o grant_v it_o be_v difficult_a exact_o to_o explain_v after_o what_o manner_n we_o exert_v this_o faculty_n since_o the_o nature_n and_o act_n of_o the_o rational_a soul_n be_v very_o abstruse_a yet_o i_o appeal_v to_o every_o man_n be_v own_o heart_n whether_o he_o do_v not_o find_v in_o himself_o not_o only_o a_o liberty_n to_o do_v or_o forbear_v indifferent_a action_n such_o as_o go_v abroad_o or_o stay_v at_o home_n but_o likewise_o such_o as_o be_v certain_o better_o by_o a_o rational_a estimate_n if_o he_o will_v but_o give_v himself_o time_n to_o consider_v and_o weigh_v the_o nature_n and_o consequence_n of_o they_o or_o else_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v he_o sorry_a or_o why_o do_v he_o repent_v the_o have_v do_v any_o foolish_a wicked_a or_o rash_a action_n since_o if_o all_o action_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a it_o be_v as_o idle_a and_o insignificant_a as_o if_o he_o shall_v be_v sorry_a that_o he_o be_v not_o make_v a_o prince_n rather_o than_o a_o private_a person_n or_o instead_o of_o a_o prince_n that_o he_o be_v not_o a_o angel_n so_o that_o certain_o god_n will_v not_o then_o have_v endue_v man_n with_o these_o two_o property_n peculiar_a to_o he_o viz._n that_o of_o conscience_n or_o a_o reflection_n upon_o the_o good_a or_o evil_a of_o his_o own_o action_n and_o that_o of_o repentance_n or_o sorrow_n for_o have_v do_v amiss_o altogether_o in_o vain_a since_o both_o be_v needless_a if_o all_o action_n be_v alike_o necessitate_v §_o 28._o but_o the_o last_o and_o high_a faculty_n and_o whereby_o man_n nature_n be_v chief_o distinguish_v from_o that_o of_o brute_n be_v when_o by_o the_o force_n of_o his_o reason_n act_v by_o the_o method_n and_o mean_n here_o describe_v he_o become_v sensible_a of_o the_o existence_n providence_n and_o other_o perfection_n of_o the_o deity_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v infer_v that_o it_o be_v high_o improbable_a if_o not_o impossible_a that_o this_o most_o wise_a and_o powerful_a be_v which_o we_o call_v god_n shall_v have_v ordain_v any_o power_n or_o faculty_n in_o man_n soul_n to_o no_o purpose_n if_o therefore_o he_o have_v endue_v man_n alone_o of_o all_o his_o creature_n with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o own_o existence_n and_o attribute_n as_o far_o as_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o finite_a creature_n to_o conceive_v of_o they_o since_o i_o grant_v we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v infinite_a perfection_n it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o god_n shall_v endue_v man_n alone_o with_o this_o so_o excellent_a a_o knowledge_n for_o so_o useless_a a_o end_n as_o bare_a speculation_n which_o alone_o be_v of_o no_o great_a use_n or_o benefit_n either_o to_o himself_o or_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n who_o good_a and_o happiness_n god_n chief_o intend_v in_o their_o creation_n so_o that_o indeed_o we_o can_v apprehend_v any_o end_n more_o worthy_a his_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n in_o create_v we_o capable_a of_o these_o idea_n than_o what_o be_v practical_a that_o be_v as_o it_o some_o way_n serve_v to_o direct_v our_o action_n as_o free_a and_o voluntary_a agent_n towards_o the_o obtain_n our_o own_o good_a and_o happiness_n conjoin_v with_o that_o of_o other_o rational_a being_n nor_o can_v any_o action_n render_v we_o more_o happy_a than_o those_o that_o testify_v our_o high_a veneration_n of_o god_n infinite_a perfection_n and_o a_o deep_a sense_n of_o his_o goodness_n towards_o we_o and_o whereby_o we_o may_v be_v dispose_v to_o a_o entire_a obedience_n to_o his_o law_n whether_o natural_a or_o reveal_v whenever_o they_o be_v make_v know_v to_o we_o so_o that_o if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o these_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n call_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n derive_v their_o authority_n from_o god_n as_o a_o lawgiver_n and_o be_v intend_v by_o he_o for_o the_o happiness_n and_o preservation_n of_o mankind_n and_o as_o rule_n whereby_o he_o will_v have_v we_o direct_v all_o our_o action_n to_o this_o great_a end_n there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n but_o we_o lie_v under_o a_o sufficient_a obligation_n to_o observe_v they_o and_o to_o prove_v this_o will_v be_v the_o next_o and_o great_a part_n of_o our_o task_n §_o 29._o but_o before_o i_o undertake_v this_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o treat_v a_o little_a concern_v those_o attribute_n of_o the_o deity_n as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v have_v any_o idea_n of_o they_o since_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o also_o of_o our_o own_o humane_a nature_n we_o can_v but_o be_v carry_v on_o to_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o if_o from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o universe_n we_o can_v but_o conceive_v he_o of_o infinite_a power_n so_o from_o his_o act_n and_o ordain_v all_o thing_n for_o the_o best_a and_o worthy_a end_n we_o may_v likewise_o affirm_v he_o to_o be_v also_o infinite_o wise_a and_o good_a so_o that_o his_o infinite_a power_n always_o act_v for_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a end_n be_v still_o so_o limit_v by_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n that_o it_o can_v act_n any_o thing_n destructive_a to_o the_o common_a good_a of_o rational_a being_n of_o which_o himself_o be_v the_o chief_a and_o from_o hence_o proceed_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o also_o our_o perpetual_a obligation_n to_o it_o for_o as_o i_o will_v not_o affirm_v that_o god_n can_v not_o have_v make_v the_o world_n and_o the_o thing_n therein_o after_o another_o manner_n than_o he_o have_v do_v so_o since_o he_o have_v make_v it_o in_o the_o order_n we_o now_o find_v it_o this_o great_a law_n of_o nature_n of_o endeavour_v and_o procure_v the_o common_a good_a of_o rational_a being_n be_v of_o the_o same_o duration_n with_o that_o of_o the_o universe_n itself_o and_o so_o consequent_o of_o constant_a and_o perpetual_a obligation_n in_o respect_n of_o himself_o and_o all_o those_o who_o he_o have_v ordain_v to_o be_v his_o subordinate_a mean_n or_o instrument_n to_o procure_v it_o especial_o as_o man_n who_o he_o have_v make_v conscious_a of_o our_o duty_n and_o able_a to_o cooperate_a with_o he_o for_o this_o great_a and_o excellent_a end_n chap._n iii_o of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o that_o it_o be_v reducible_a to_o one_o single_a proposition_n which_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o a_o law_n as_o contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a thereunto_o §_o 1._o have_v already_o in_o the_o two_o former_a chapter_n from_o the_o great_a book_n of_o nature_n that_o be_v as_o well_o that_o of_o thing_n without_o we_o as_o of_o ourselves_o in_o particular_a and_o of_o mankind_n in_o general_n make_v several_a observation_n for_o the_o prove_v of_o this_o proposition_n that_o man_n be_v ordain_v by_o god_n for_o a_o sociable_a creature_n who_o be_v preservation_n and_o happiness_n be_v to_o depend_v upon_o the_o assistance_n and_o goodwill_n of_o god_n his_o creator_n as_o also_o those_o of_o his_o own_o kind_n i_o come_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o show_v that_o every_o one_o be_v oblige_v to_o a_o return_n of_o the_o like_a benevolence_n to_o other_o for_o we_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v better_o assure_v of_o