historicalgeogra00psal

;
the Author s Coffverfion. 261
of Religion : For, how can we conceive a Man
(bould exftinguifh his violent Paflion for a darling
Pleafure, had he not fure hopes (by thus mortifying
himlelf to the World ) of a more fubftantial
Good, and of avoiding an everlaftingMi^
fery?
Whether we confider thefe Rewards in refpefl
to God, or regard to our own Souls, thsy are
far more glorious and adapt than what any other
Religion affords. What others have feigned to
encourage Men to do good, is indeed not a litde
enticing, but yet it is direQly contrary to the Nature
of God, and our Souls : For inltance, Th-ir
notions of Mecempfychofis, or the Tranfmigrxtion
of the Soul into another Body, more noble
or ignoble; delightful charming Places ^ Riches
Plurality of Women, L^fc. which can never agree
with the Eternal Almighty God, neither without
reafonable Souls, they are Spirits which can ne^ver
be fatisfied with temporal things, they came
from God, and naturally defire to return to him ^
no Pleafure pan fufficiently content them, but th$
infinite Happinefs of enjoying their Creator,
2. Our Bodies have their part in thefe Promifes
as well as our Souls ; For is it not jult that the
Body which has accompanied the Soul through
many Tryals and Affliftions, for the fake of God,
mould (hare in its Rewards alfo ? Is it not reafonable
that the Body, which has been depriv'd
of fo many Lulls and Pleafures, (hould, with the
Soul , be Partaker of eternal Happinefs ? The
Eefurreclion of the Body mult therefore be a great
Confolation to U3 , our Saviour proved it to the
JewT^ out of the Books of the Law and the Pro?
phets; he laid the foundation of th'::* Truth, and
we are fure our Faith is not vain, i:nce he is rifpp
ftorp the 4ead. To fay that the fcatter'd Parr