Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1755 edition. Excerpt: ... Book I. mind and what temper toward the enjoyments of this world, or toward our fellow-creatures, are the natural fources of the higheft enjoyment. There remains another objcct of affection to every rational mind to be fully confidered, and which, from what already hath often occurred in our former inquiry, muft be of the greateft importance to our happinefs, viz. the Deity, the Mind which prefides in the univerfe: and then we ihall have in view the fources of all the enjoyments our nature is capable of. Our moral faculty too finds here its fupreme object; as-it naturally determines the mind to efteem and reverence all moral excellence, and perceives a duty and moral excellence in fuch veneration, and in the affections' which enfue upon it. CHAP/ IX. i The Duties toward GOD; andjirft, ofjuft Sentiments concerning his Nature. OUR inquiries on this fubject are reduced to two heads; firft, What are the fentiments concerning the Divine Nature? And then, what are the affections and worfhip fuited to thefe fentiments, and what enjoyment or happinefs they afford to the human mind? Previous to our forming juft fentiments concernmS c DEGREESe Deity there muft be aperfuafion of his cxiftence, The world has ever agreed that there mud befome fuperior Mind, or Minds, endued with know- Chap. 9. ledge and great power, prefiding over human a fairs. Tradition no doubt from race to race has contributed fomething to diffufe this perfuafion. The experience of evil from unknown caufes, the fear of them, and the defire of fome further aids againft them when all viiible powers have failed, may have excited fome to this enquiry: the natural enthufiafm and admiration arifmg when we behold the great and beautiful works of nature has raifed the curiofity of other
