The truth of Christian religion in six books / written in Latine by Hugo Grotius ; and now translated into English, with the addition of a seventh book, by Symon Patrick ...

SECT. XI. For excellency of reward.

FOR to begin with the reward that is at the end propounded to Man, which though it be the last in fruition and execution, yet is it the first in his intention: If we con∣sider the institution of the Jewish Religion by the hand of Moses, and the plain or express covenant of the Law, we shall find nothing there promised save the welfare and happiness of this life: as namely, a fruitful Land, abun∣dance of Corn and Victual, victory over their Enemies, soundness of Body, length of Days, the comfortable blessing of a hopeful Issue, and surviving Posterity, and the like. For if there be any thing beyond, it is involved in dark shadows, or must be collected by wise and difficult reasoning: Which indeed was the cause why many (in particular the Sad∣ducees, who professed themselves to be fol∣lowers and observers of Moses his Law,) had no hope of enjoying any happiness after this life.

As for the Grecians, who received their

learning from the Chaldeans and Aegyptians, and had some hope in another World, after this life was ended; they spake thereof after a very doubtful manner; as appears by the disputations of Socrates, by the Writings of Tully, Seneca, and others. And the Argu∣ments they produce for it are grounded upon uncertainties; proving no more the happiness of a Man than of a Beast: Which while some of them observed, it was no wonder if they imagined, that Souls were translated and conveyed from Men to Beasts, and again from Beasts into Men.

But because this opinion was not confirmed by any testimonies, or grounded upon cer∣tain reason, (and yet it was undeniable that there is some end proposed to Man's actions,) therefore others were induced to think, that vertue was the end or reward of Mens endea∣vours; and that a wise Man was happy e∣nough, even though he were put into that tormenting brasen Bull made by Phalaris. Howbeit this fancy was justly distasteful and improbable to another sort, who saw well enough that Man's happiness, especially the highest, could not consist in any thing that was accompanied with perils, troubles, tor∣ment and death (unless we have a mind to follow the sound of words without the sense of things:) Wherefore they placed Man's chiefest happiness and end in such things as

were delightful and pleasing to sense. But yet this opinion also was disproved and suffi∣ciently confuted by many, as being prejudicial to all honesty, the seeds whereof are rooted in our hearts by nature: as also because it debases Man, who is advanced to a higher pitch, and throws him down into the rank of Beasts; which stoop down and pore upon nothing, but what is on the Earth.

With these and such like uncertainties and doubtings was Mankind distracted at that time when Christ brought in the true knowledge of the right end: who promised unto his follow∣ers after their departure hence, a life, not only without death, without sorrow and trou∣ble, but attended with the highest joy and happiness: and that not of one part of Man alone, to wit, of his Soul, (the felicity whereof after this life, partly by probable conjecture, and partly from tradition, was hoped for before) but also of his Body and Soul together. And this most justly; that the Body, which for the Divine Law, must often suffer grievances, torments and death, may not be without a recompence of reward. Now the reward and promised joys are not vile and base, as good chear and dainty fare, wherewith the more carnal sort of Jews feed their hopes; or the embraces of beautiful Women, which the Turks expect to enjoy af∣ter death: for both these sensualities are pro∣per

to this frail life, at the best being but helps or remedies of mortality, the former of them conducing to the preservation of every parti∣cular Man or Beast: and the latter for the continuation of the same creatures by succes∣sion in their kind. But by the happiness afore∣said our Bodies shall be indued with constant vigour, agility, strength, and more than a starlike beauty. In the Soul there shall be an understanding without errour, even of God himself and his Divine Providence, or what∣soever is now hid from us. And a will freed from all turbulency of passions, busied chiefly about the sight, the admiring and praising of the Almighty. In a word, all things much greater and better, than can be conceived by comparison with the best and greatest things in this World.