The Truth of the Christian Religion with Jean Le Clerc's Notes and Additions

BOOK II. Against Indifference in the Choice of our Religion.

277 u B O OK I I u Against Indifference in the Choice of our Religion. Sect. I. That we ought to have a Love for Truth in all things, but more especially in such as are of great Moment. I think that Person judged very rightly, (a) whoever he was, that said, there is an eternal Alliance betwixt Truth and the Mind of Man; the Effects of which, though they may sometimes be, as it were suspended or discontinued for a while, by reason of the Inconstancy and Affections of Human Nature; yet the Alliance itself can never be entirely broke. For no body is desirous of being deceived; nay, there is no body but had rather know the Truth, in any Matter whatsoever, but especially in any Matter of Moment, than be mistaken, though it be only in things of mere Speculation. We are naturally delighted with Truth, and have as natural an Aversion to Error; and if we knew any way in which we could certainly arrive at Truth, we should most readily enter into it. Hence it is, that there always have been found very eminent Men, whom all the World have most highly applauded, because they spent their whole Lives in the Pursuit of Truth. There have been, and are at this Day, innumerable a. Whoever he was that said, &c.] John Smith, in his select Discourses published at London, 1660. Hence St. Austin, in his CXLth Sermon, concerning the Words of the Evangelist St. John, Tom. V. Col. 682. Every Man searches after Truth and Life; but every Man does not find the Way to them. And again, Sermon CL. Col. 716. The Mind cannot endure to be deceived. And how much the Mind naturally hates to be deceived, we may learn from this single thing, that every Man of Sense pities a Changeling. If it were proposed to any one, whether he would choose to be deceived, or to persist in the Truth; there is no body but would answer, that he had rather persist in the Truth. 278 the truth of the chr isti an r eligion natural Philosophers and Geometricians, who have taken incredible Pains to come at Truth; and who affirm, that they never feel (a) so great Pleasure as when they find out a Truth which they have long been in search after. So that the Love and the Knowledge of Truth, may very justly be reckoned amongst the many other things that Men excel Brutes in. But all Truths are not of the same Moment, and many theoretick Notions , though they be true, may be laid aside, because little or no Advantage can be had from them, and therefore it is not worth while to be at much Pains about them; yet, on the other Hand, there are some Truths of so great Moment, that we justly think them worth purchasing at any Rate. Of this sort are all those that relate to our Well-being and Happiness ; the Knowledge of which, is most valued by every body, and most diligently pursued by them. To which, if we add, that the Consequence of a well-spent and happy life, (and we must always allow, that what is good, that is, agreeable to Truth, is also an In-gredient of Happiness ) during our short Stay here, will be an eternal Happiness hereafter, as all Christians of every Sect whatsoever profess to believe, we cannot but own, that the Knowledge of the Way by which we may arrive at such Happiness, cannot be purchased at too dear a Rate. Sect. II. Nothing can be of greater Moment than Religion; and therefore we ought to use our utmost Endeavours to come at the true Knowledge of it. Our Business is not now with such Persons as despise all Religion; these have been sufficiently confuted by that great Man Hugo Grotius, in the foregoing Books; which whosoever has read, with a Mind really desirous of coming at the Truth, can have no doubt but that there is a God who would be worshipped by Men; and as things now are, with that very Worship which is commanded by Christ; and that he has promised everlasting Happiness, after this mortal Life, to all who thus worship him. a. So great Pleasure, &c.] See the Life of Pythagoras in Diogenes Laertius, Book VIII. 12. book ii, section ii 279 Thus much being allowed, no...