THE And (what is now called) DEISM; A SERMON Preached at III. St. Martin's in the Fields, MARCH the 7th 169 Lth. Being the First of the Lecture Founded by the Honourable ROBERT BOYLE, Efquire. By RICHARD BENTLEY, M. A. Chaplain to the Right Reverend Father in God, EDWARD, Lord Bishop of Worcester. The Fourth Edition. LONDON, Printed by J. H. for H. Mortlock at the Phenix in St. Paul's Church-yard. 1693. 11-193-3 McLeish 9-23-53 8443 To my most Honoured Patrons, TRUSTEES appointed by the Will of the Honourable Robert Boyle, Efq; The Right Reverend Father in God, Thomas, Lord Bifhop of Lincoln, Sir Henry Afburst, Kand Baronet. Sir John Rotberam, Serjeant at Law. John Evelyn, fenior, Efquire. Moft Honoured, GR OD baving difpofed the Heart of that incom parable Perfon, the Honourable ROBERT BOYLE, Efquire, lately deceafed, the Glory of our Nation and Age, whofe Charity and Goodnes were as Univerfal as his Learning and Fame; "fettle an Annual Salary for fome D "To or Preaching Minifter, who fhall be enjoyned tó perform the Offices following: 1. To preach "Eight Sermons in the Year, for proving the "Chriftian Religion against notorious Infidels, " viz. Atheists, Deifts, Pagans, Jews and Mahometans ; not defcending to any Controverfies that are a mong Chriftians themselves: Thefe Lectures to "be on the First Monday of the respective Months "of January, February, March, April, May, Septem"ber, October, November; in fuch Church as the "Trustees fhall from time to time appoint: 2. To "be affifting to all Companies, and encouraging "them in any undertaking for propagating the "Chriftian Religion: 3. To be ready to fatisfie "fuch Real Scruples as any may have concerning "thofe Matters; and to anfwer fuch new Objecti ons or Difficulties as may be ftarted, to which "good Answers have not yet been made: You have been pleased to believe me able in fome measure to perform thefe Offices, and to command this First Effay to be made publick. I am very fenfible of the great Honour, as well as the great Extent and Difficulty of the Task; and shall endeavour to the utmost of my poor ability to answer the religious and generous Defign of that Excellent Perfon, and the good Opinion you have entertained of, My moft Honoured Patrons, Your very obliged and humble Servant, R. Bentley. THE Folly of Atheism, &c. Pfalm XIV. verfe 1. The Fool bath faid in his Heart, There is no God; they are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doth good. I Shall not now make any enquiry about the time and occafion and other circumstances of compofing this Pfalm: nor how it comes to pass, that with very little variation we have it twice over, both here the 14th. and again number the 53d. Not that these and fuch like are not important confiderations in themselves; but that I think them improper now, when we are to argue and expoftulate with fuch perfons, as allow no Divine Authority to our Text; and profefs no greater, or, it may be they will fay, lefs Veneration for thefe Sacred Hymns, than for the profane Songs of Anacreon or Horace. So that although I my self do really believe, that all fuch as say in their Hearts, There is no God, are foolish and corrupt, both in Understanding and Will, because I fee that infinite Wife |