folved, 370-372. It is probable, that the Jews will be restored to Palæstine, 373-375. The Chriftian Religion will be preached to, and received, by all Na- tions, 376-380. It is not probable, that there will It is probable, from the mere Light of Nature, that there will be a future State, 38-392. The Chri- Stian Revelation gives us an abfolute Affurance of a future State, 393-395. The Rewards and Punish- ments of a future Life will far exceed the Happiness and Mifery of this, both in Degree and Duration, 395-397. It is probable, that the future Happiness of the Good will be of a fpiritual Nature; but the It follows from the foregoing Theory of our intel- lectual Pleafures and Pains, as well as from other Ways of confidering them, that the Bulk of Mankind are not qualified for pure, unmixed Happiness, 404, 405. It of of the Bleffed, 405-407. A practical Application of It is probable from Reafon, that all Mankind will be made happy ultimately,419-425. It is probable OBSER- Containing Obfervations on the Duty and Expectations of Mankind. INTRODUCTION. W HATEVER be our Doubts, Fears, or Anxieties, whether selfish or focial, whether for Time or Eternity, our only Hope and Refuge must be in the infinite Power, Knowlege, and Goodnefs of God. And if thefe be really our Hope and Refuge, if we have a true practical Senfe and Conviction of God's infinite Ability and Readiness to protect and blefs us, an intire, peaceful, happy Refignation will be the Refult, notwithftanding the Clouds and Perplexities wherewith we VOL. II. B may may fometimes be encompaffed. He who has brought us into this State, will conduct us through it: He knows all our Wants and Diftreffes: His infinite Nature will bear down all Oppofition from our Impotence, Ignorance, Vice, or Mifery: He is our Creator, Judge, and King, our Friend, and Father, and God. And though the tranfcendent Greatnefs and Glorioufness of this Profpect may, at first View, make our Faith stagger, and incline us to difbelieve through Joy; yet, upon farther Confideration, it seems rather to confirm and establish itself on that Account; for the more it exceeds our Gratitude and Comprehenfion, the more does it coincide with the Idea of that abfolutely perfect Being, whom the feveral Orders of imperfect Beings perpetually fuggeft to us, as our only Refting-place, the Caufe of Caufes, and the fupreme Reality. However, on the other hand, it must be acknowleged, that the Evils which we fee and feel are strong Arguments of the Poffibility of still greater Evils, of any finite Evils whatever, and of their Confiftency with the Divine Attributes. All Finites are equally nothing in respect of infinite; and if the infinite Power, Knowlege, and Goodness of God can permit the leaft Evil, they may permit any finite Degree of it, how great foever, for any thing that we know to the contrary. And this moft alarming Confideration cannot but compel every thinking Perfon to use his utmoft Endeavours, firft for his own Prefervation and Deliverance; and then, in proportion to his Benevolence, for the Prefervation and Deliverance of others. Nor can fuch a Perfon long hesitate what Method to take in the general. The Duties of Piety, Benevolence, and Self-government, confidered in the general, have had fuch a Stamp fet upon them by all Ages and Nations, by all Orders and Conditions of Men, approve themselves fo much to our Frame and Confti |