CHA P. XIX.

Wherein Herbert's reasons for publishing his books in defence of Deism are examined and found weak,

CHA P. XX.

PAGE

299

Wherein the Queries offered by Herbert and Blount, for proving the sufficiency of their Five Articles are examined, 308

ESSAY ON FAITH.

CHAP. I...

Containing some general remarks concerning knowledge, faith, and particularly divine faith and that both as to the faculty and actings thereof,

CHA P. II.

335

Wherein the nature of that faith, which in duty we are obliged to give to the word of God, our obligation to, and our ability for answering our duty, are inquired into, 339

CHA P. III.

The ground, or the formal reason, whereon faith assents to the scriptures is inquired after; the Rationalist's opinon about it, and particularly as stated by Mr. Locke in his book on Human Understanding, is proposed and considered,

345

INTRODUCTION.

IN this sceptical age, which questions almost every thing, it is

still owned as certain, that all men must die. If there were any place for disputing this, there are not a few, who would spare no pains to bring themselves into the disbelief of a truth, that gives them so much disturbance, in the courses they love and seem resolved to follow: But the case is so clear, and the evidence of this principle so pregnant, which is every day confirmed by new experiments, that the most resolved infidel is forced, when it comes in his way, though unwilling, to give his assent, and moan out an Amen. The grave is the house appointed for all the living. Some arrive sooner, some later; but all come there at length. The obscurity of the meanest cannot hide him, nor the power of the greatest screen him from the impartial hand of death, the executioner of fate, if I may be allowed the use of a word so much abused. As its coming is placed beyond doubt, so its aspect is hideous beyond the reach of thought, the force of expression, or the utmost efforts of the finest pencil in the most artful hand. It, in a moment, dashes down a fabric, which has more of curious contrivance than all the celebrated pieces put together, which the most refined human wits have invented, even when carried to the greatest height, which the improvements of so many subsequent generations, after the utmost application and diligence, could bring them to. It puts a stop to many thousand motions, which, though strangely diversified, did all concur, with wonderful exactness, to maintain, and carry on the design and intendment of the glorious and divine Artificer. How this divine and wonderful machine was first erected, set a going, and has, for so long a track of time, regularly performed all its motions, could never yet be understood by the most elevated understandings. Canst thou tell how the bones grow in the womb of her that is with child, is a challenge to all the sons of science, to unfold. the mystery? Many have accepted it, but all have been foiled. Something they could say ; but, in spite of it all, the thing that they

CHAP. V.

Proving the insufficiency of natural religion from its defec-
tiveness as to the worship of God,

CHAP. VI.

Proving the insufficiency of natural religion from its defec-
tiveness as to the discovery wherein man's happiness lies,

CHAP. VII.

Nature's light affords not a sufficient rule of duty.-Its insuffi-
ciency hence inferred,

CHAP. VIII.

PAGE.

79

85

98

Proving the insufficiency of natural religion from its defects
as to sufficient motives for enforcing obedience,

CHAP. IX.

108

Shewing the importance of knowing the origin of sin to the
world, and the defectiveness of nature's light as to this, 115

CHAP. X.

Proving nature's light unable to discover the means of obtain-
ing pardon of sin, or to shew that it is attainable,

128

SECT. I. The importance of this difficulty stated,

128

SECT. II. Shewing the darkness of nature's light as to
pardon,

136

SECT. III. Wherein it is inquired whether repentance
is sufficient to attone for sin? How far nature's light
enables to it? What assurance nature's light gives of
pardon upon repentence?

OBJECTIONS Considered,

DIGRESSION Concerning God's government of the Hea-
then world, shewing that there is nothing in it whence
any design of God to pardon them may be certainly
inferred,

143

169

195

PAGE.

CHAP. XI.

Proving the insufficiency of natural religion to eradicate our
inclinations to sin, or subdue its power,

CHAP. XII.

Wherein the proof of the insufficiency of natural religion is
concluded from a general view of the experience of the
world,

Wherein we make a transition to the Deists' pleas for their
opinion, and take particular notice of the Articles to which
they reduce their Catholic religion; give some account
of Baron Herbert, the first inventer of this Catholic re-
ligion, his books, and particularly of that which is inscrib-
ed De Religione Gentilium, as to the matter and scope
of it, and the importance of what is therein attempted to
the Deists' cause,

CHA P. XIV.

Wherein it is inquired, Whether Herbert has proved that his
Five Articles did universally obtain,

CHAP. XV.

Wherein it is made appear that Herbert's Five Articles did
not universally obtain,

CHAP. XVI.

204

213

219

230

253

Wherein some general considerations are laid down for prov-
ing that many of the best things, which are to be met with
in the Heathens, were not the discoveries of nature's light,
but came from tradition,

270

Wherein we consider what Herbert's opinion was as to the
sufficiency of his Articles, and offer some reflections, show-
ing how foolish, absurd and ridiculous the Deists' pre-
tences to their sufficiency are,

CHAP. XVIII.

Containing an answer to some of the Deists' principal argu-
ments for the sufficiency of natural religion,

276

286

CHAP. XIX.

Wherein Herbert's reasons for publishing his books in de-
fence of Deism are examined and found weak,

PAGE!

299

Wherein the Queries offered by Herbert and Blount, for
proving the sufficiency of their Five Articles are examined, 308

ESSAY ON FAITH.

CHAP. I...

Containing some general remarks concerning knowledge,
faith, and particularly divine faith and that both as to
the faculty and actings thereof,

335

Wherein the nature of that faith, which in duty we are
obliged to give to the word of God, our obligation to,
and our ability for answering our duty, are inquired into, 339

CHAP. III.

The ground, or the formal reason, whereon faith assents
to the scriptures is inquired after; the Rationalist's
opinon about it, and particularly as stated by Mr. Locke
in his book on Human Understanding, is proposed and
considered,

345