I had rather believe all the fables1 in the Legend, and the Talmud, and the Alcoran, than that this universal frame is without a mind. And therefore, God never wrought2 miracle, to convince atheism3, because his ordinary works convince it. It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion. For while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered4, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain of them, confederate and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence5 and Deity6. Nay7, even that school which is most accused of atheism doth most demonstrate religion; that is, the school of Leucippus and Democritus and Epicurus. For it is a thousand times more credible8, that four mutable elements, and one immutable9 fifth essence, duly and eternally placed, need no God, than that an army of infinite small portions, or seeds unplaced, should have produced this order and beauty, without a divine marshal. The Scripture10 saith, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God; it is not said, The fool hath thought in his heart; so as he rather saith it, by rote11 to himself, as that he would have, than that he can thoroughly12 believe it, or be persuaded of it. For none deny, there is a God, but those, for whom it maketh that there were no God. It appeareth in nothing more, that atheism is rather in the lip, than in the heart of man, than by this; that atheists will ever be talking of that their opinion, as if they fainted in it, within themselves, and would be glad to be strengthened, by the consent of others. Nay more, you shall have atheists strive to get disciples15, as it fareth with other sects16. And, which is most of all, you shall have of them, that will suffer for atheism, and not recant; whereas if they did truly think, that there were no such thing as God, why should they trouble themselves? Epicurus is charged, that he did but dissemble for his credit’s sake, when he affirmed there were blessed natures, but such as enjoyed themselves, without having respect to the government of the world. Wherein they say he did temporize17; though in secret, he thought there was no God. But certainly he is traduced18; for his words are noble and divine: Non deos vulgi negare profanum; sed vulgi opiniones diis applicare profanum. Plato could have said no more. And although he had the confidence, to deny the administration, he had not the power, to deny the nature. The Indians of the West, have names for their particular gods, though they have no name for God: as if the heathens should have had the names Jupiter, Apollo, Mars, etc., but not the word Deus; which shows that even those barbarous people have the notion, though they have not the latitude19 and extent of it. So that against atheists, the very savages20 take part, with the very subtlest philosophers. The contemplative atheist13 is rare: a Diagoras, a Bion, a Lucian perhaps, and some others; and yet they seem to be more than they are; for that all that impugn21 a received religion, or superstition22, are by the adverse23 part branded with the name of atheists. But the great atheists, indeed are hypocrites; which are ever handling holy things, but without feeling; so as they must needs be cauterized24 in the end. The causes of atheism are: divisions in religion, if they be many; for any one main division, addeth zeal25 to both sides; but many divisions introduce atheism. Another is, scandal of priests; when it is come to that which St. Bernard saith, non est jam dicere, ut populus sic sacerdos; quia nec sic populus ut sacerdos. A third is, custom of profane26 scoffing27 in holy matters; which doth, by little and little, deface the reverence28 of religion. And lastly, learned times, specially29 with peace and prosperity; for troubles and adversities do more bow men’s minds to religion. They that deny a God, destroy man’s nobility; for certainly man is of kin14 to the beasts, by his body; and, if he be not of kin to God, by his spirit, he is a base and ignoble30 creature. It destroys likewise magnanimity, and the raising of human nature; for take an example of a dog, and mark what a generosity31 and courage he will put on, when he finds himself maintained by a man; who to him is instead of a God, or melior natura; which courage is manifestly such, as that creature, without that confidence of a better nature than his own, could never attain32. So man, when he resteth and assureth himself, upon divine protection and favor, gathered a force and faith, which human nature in itself could not obtain. Therefore, as atheism is in all respects hateful, so in this, that it depriveth human nature of the means to exalt33 itself, above human frailty34. As it is in particular persons, so it is in nations. Never was there such a state for magnanimity as Rome. Of this state hear what Cicero saith: Quam volumus licet, patres conscripti, nos amemus, tamen nec numero Hispanos, nec robore Gallos, nec calliditate Poenos, nec artibus Graecos, nec denique hoc ipso hujus gentis et terrae domestico nativoque sensu Italos ipsos et Latinos; sed pietate, ad religione, atque hac una sapientia, quod deorum immortalium numine omnia regi gubernarique perspeximus, omnes gentes nationesque superavimus.
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fables
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n.寓言( fable的名词复数 );神话,传说 | |
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wrought
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v.引起;以…原料制作;运转;adj.制造的 | |
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atheism
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n.无神论,不信神 | |
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scattered
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adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的 | |
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providence
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n.深谋远虑,天道,天意;远见;节约;上帝 | |
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deity
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n.神,神性;被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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nay
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adv.不;n.反对票,投反对票者 | |
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credible
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adj.可信任的,可靠的 | |
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immutable
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adj.不可改变的,永恒的 | |
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scripture
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n.经文,圣书,手稿;Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》,《圣经》中的一段 | |
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rote
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n.死记硬背,生搬硬套 | |
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thoroughly
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adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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atheist
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n.无神论者 | |
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kin
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n.家族,亲属,血缘关系;adj.亲属关系的,同类的 | |
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15
disciples
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n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 );门徒;耶稣的信徒;(尤指)耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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sects
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n.宗派,教派( sect的名词复数 ) | |
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temporize
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v.顺应时势;拖延 | |
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traduced
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v.诋毁( traduce的过去式和过去分词 );诽谤;违反;背叛 | |
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latitude
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n.纬度,行动或言论的自由(范围),(pl.)地区 | |
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20
savages
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未开化的人,野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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21
impugn
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v.指责,对…表示怀疑 | |
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superstition
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n.迷信,迷信行为 | |
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adverse
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adj.不利的;有害的;敌对的,不友好的 | |
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24
cauterized
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v.(用腐蚀性物质或烙铁)烧灼以消毒( cauterize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
zeal
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n.热心,热情,热忱 | |
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profane
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adj.亵神的,亵渎的;vt.亵渎,玷污 | |
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scoffing
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n. 嘲笑, 笑柄, 愚弄 v. 嘲笑, 嘲弄, 愚弄, 狼吞虎咽 | |
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28
reverence
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n.敬畏,尊敬,尊严;Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称;v.尊敬,敬畏,崇敬 | |
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29
specially
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adv.特定地;特殊地;明确地 | |
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30
ignoble
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adj.不光彩的,卑鄙的;可耻的 | |
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31
generosity
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n.大度,慷慨,慷慨的行为 | |
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32
attain
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vt.达到,获得,完成 | |
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33
exalt
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v.赞扬,歌颂,晋升,提升 | |
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34
frailty
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n.脆弱;意志薄弱 | |
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