Reason, the Only Oracle of Man; Or, A Compendius System of Natural Religion — John Shaqi
Reason, the Only Oracle of Man; Or, A Compendius System of Natural ReligionAllen, Ethan
Religion
Reason, the Only Oracle of Man; Or, A Compendius System of Natural Religion
Allen, Ethan
Rationalism
From this theological way of arguing on the creation and providence
of God, it appears that the whole, which we denominate by the term
_nature_, which is the same as creation perfectly regulated, was
eternally connected together by the creator to answer the same all
glorious purpose, _to wit_: the display of the divine nature, the
consequences of which are existence and happiness to beings in general,
so that creation, with all its productions operates according to the
laws of nature, and is sustained by the self-existent eternal cause, in
perfect older and decorum, agreeable to the eternal wisdom, unalterable
rectitude, impartial justice, and immense goodness of the divine nature,
which is a summary of God's providence. It is from the established order
of nature, that summer and winter, rainy and fair seasons,
moonshine, refreshing breezes, seed time and harvest, day and night,
interchangeably succeed each other, and diffuse their extensive
blessings to man. Every enjoyment and support of life is from
God, delivered to his creatures in and by the tendency, aptitude,
disposition, and operation of those laws. Nature is the medium, or
intermediate instrument through which God dispenses his benignity to
mankind. The air we breathe in, the light of the sun, and the waters of
the murmuring rills, evince his providence: and well it is, that they
are given in so great profusion, that they cannot by the monopoly of the
rich be engrossed from the poor.
When we copiously pursue the study of nature, we are certain to be lost
in the immensity of the works and wisdom of God; we may nevertheless,
in a variety of things discern their fitness, happifying tendency
and sustaining quality to us ward, from all which, as rational and
contemplative beings we are prompted to infer, that God is universally
uniform and consistent in his infinitude of creation and providence,
although we cannot comprehend all that consistency, by reason of
infirmity; yet we are morally sure, of all possible plans, infinite
wisdom must have eternally adopted the best, and infinite goodness have
approved it, and infinite power have perfected it. And as the good of
beings in general must have been the ultimate end of God in his creation
and government of his creatures, his omniscience could not fail to
have it always present in his view. Universal nature must therefore be
ultimately attracted to this single point, and infinite perfection must
have eternally displayed itself in creation and providence. From hence
we infer, that God is as eternal and infinite in his goodness, as his
self-existent and perfect nature is omnipotently great.
SECTON IV. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD DOES NOT INTERFERE...
WITH THE AGENCY OF MAN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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