THE Words having no dependance on the Context, and containing only a plain single Assertion, all that concerns me at present, is to confirm the truth of them,
THE Words having no dependence on the Context, and containing only a plain single Assertion, all that concerns me At present, is to confirm the truth of them,
and to recommend the Laws of Religion under this Notion, That they are not Grievous. In clearing of which Proposition, I shall observe this following method: I.
and to recommend the Laws of Religion under this Notion, That they Are not Grievous. In clearing of which Proposition, I shall observe this following method: I.
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I shall enquire in what sense the Laws or Commands of our Superiours may become grievous and burdensom to the Subjects. II. I shall vindicate the Laws of our Religion, from the Imputation of those supposed Grievances and Hardships that are cast upon them. And, III. I shall draw some Practical Inferences from the whole, to enforce our Obedience to them.
I shall inquire in what sense the Laws or Commands of our Superiors may become grievous and burdensome to the Subject's. II I shall vindicate the Laws of our Religion, from the Imputation of those supposed Grievances and Hardships that Are cast upon them. And, III. I shall draw Some Practical Inferences from the Whole, to enforce our obedience to them.
And therefore did the Commands of our great Master impose any such difficulties upon his Subjects, the complaint then might be somewhat justifiable, That his Commands are grievous.
And Therefore did the Commands of our great Master impose any such difficulties upon his Subject's, the complaint then might be somewhat justifiable, That his Commands Are grievous.
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But on the other side, if it can be clear'd, that these men are quite mistaken in the right notion of their own frame and make, that man by his natural frame and constitution, is a religious,
But on the other side, if it can be cleared, that these men Are quite mistaken in the right notion of their own frame and make, that man by his natural frame and constitution, is a religious,
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But, secondly, a Law may be call'd grievous and burdensom, when it carries with it only the will and pleasure of the Lawgiver, without any good reason or excellency to recommend it.
But, secondly, a Law may be called grievous and burdensome, when it carries with it only the will and pleasure of the Lawgiver, without any good reason or excellency to recommend it.
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that he must not wear a Garment pieced up of linnen and woollen; that he must not round the corners of his head, nor cut his beard of this or that fashion.
that he must not wear a Garment pieced up of linen and woollen; that he must not round the corners of his head, nor Cut his beard of this or that fashion.
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when it is conscious of no other obligation, but that which arises from his pure sovereign will and pleasure, in this case a man must drag on heavily in his duty, move as it were by whip and spur,
when it is conscious of no other obligation, but that which arises from his pure sovereign will and pleasure, in this case a man must drag on heavily in his duty, move as it were by whip and spur,
And consequently, did the Laws of Christianity carry no other motives for our obedience, but the bare stamp of an uncontroulable authority, the Objection would be strong and forcible, That his Commandments are grievous.
And consequently, did the Laws of Christianity carry no other motives for our Obedience, but the bore stamp of an uncontrollable Authority, the Objection would be strong and forcible, That his commandments Are grievous.
But on the other side, if it can be demonstrated, that these Laws are so far from being arbitrary magisterial Impositions, that they seem to be the eternal Laws of our own reason,
But on the other side, if it can be demonstrated, that these Laws Are so Far from being arbitrary magisterial Impositions, that they seem to be the Eternal Laws of our own reason,
therefore if the Laws of Religion did lay unreasonable restraints upon men, and, like so many Fetters and Shackles, did tie them up from the enjoyment of their true liberty, there might be some reasonable pretension to allege, That his Commands are grievous.
Therefore if the Laws of Religion did lay unreasonable restraints upon men, and, like so many Fetters and Shackles, did tie them up from the enjoyment of their true liberty, there might be Some reasonable pretension to allege, That his Commands Are grievous.
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But, on the other side, if it can be proved, that these men are mistaken in the notion of true liberty, that freedom does not consist in an exemption from Laws,
But, on the other side, if it can be proved, that these men Are mistaken in the notion of true liberty, that freedom does not consist in an exemption from Laws,
then it will follow beyond contradiction, that his Laws are not grievous in this sense. And this shall be the Subject of my third and last Proposition.
then it will follow beyond contradiction, that his Laws Are not grievous in this sense. And this shall be the Subject of my third and last Proposition.
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Having thus far explain'd in what sense the Laws of our Governours may become grievous and offensive to their Subjects, I come now to my second general Head proposed, Viz.
Having thus Far explained in what sense the Laws of our Governors may become grievous and offensive to their Subject's, I come now to my second general Head proposed, Viz.
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For the main reason why Religion all along has been represented so contradictory to, and irroconcileable with our tempers, can be ascribed to nothing else but to a want of due consideration, what is the right frame of a Reasonable Nature.
For the main reason why Religion all along has been represented so contradictory to, and irroconcileable with our tempers, can be ascribed to nothing Else but to a want of due consideration, what is the right frame of a Reasonable Nature.
The Atheist fancies, that he is the bare result of matter and motion, the sanguine Libertine thinks that he is nothing but the meer composition of flesh and blood;
The Atheist fancies, that he is the bore result of matter and motion, the sanguine Libertine thinks that he is nothing but the mere composition of Flesh and blood;
And if this be all that goes to make up a reasonable Creature, I can see no difference, besides the shape, betwixt the Horse, that has no understanding, and his Rider.
And if this be all that Goes to make up a reasonable Creature, I can see no difference, beside the shape, betwixt the Horse, that has no understanding, and his Rider.
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or Cunning, all these are but pedantick Titles, and undistinguishing Characters, unless we will allow some nobler attainment, I mean a sense and capacity of exercising Religious Duties, to be an Ingredient of his Frame and Constitution.
or Cunning, all these Are but pedantic Titles, and undistinguishing Characters, unless we will allow Some Nobler attainment, I mean a sense and capacity of exercising Religious Duties, to be an Ingredient of his Frame and Constitution.
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For 'tis plain, as for what we call Reason in general, that Beasts, by a meer natural sagacity, do make such near approaches to it, that we can hardly distinguish betwixt the Cunning of a Brute,
For it's plain, as for what we call Reason in general, that Beasts, by a mere natural sagacity, do make such near Approaches to it, that we can hardly distinguish betwixt the Cunning of a Brutus,
For it must be allowed on all hands, that those are the true Principles of a reasonable Nature, that do really distinguish it from all other creatures.
For it must be allowed on all hands, that those Are the true Principles of a reasonable Nature, that do really distinguish it from all other creatures.
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And since to be capable of receiving divine impressions, and to pay a rational regard to the Laws of our Maker, are the peculiar priviledges of our natures, that make the true difference betwixt us and the rest of the parts of the visible World;
And since to be capable of receiving divine impressions, and to pay a rational regard to the Laws of our Maker, Are the peculiar privileges of our nature's, that make the true difference betwixt us and the rest of the parts of the visible World;
And consequently, to say a man is naturally born a reasonable creature, is the same in effect as to say, that he is naturally a religious creature too,
And consequently, to say a man is naturally born a reasonable creature, is the same in Effect as to say, that he is naturally a religious creature too,
and that we may not fancy this a more imaginary notion, do but consider, what strong propensions and inclinations there are in humane nature to religious duties, of which there can be no account given,
and that we may not fancy this a more imaginary notion, do but Consider, what strong propensions and inclinations there Are in humane nature to religious duties, of which there can be no account given,
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'Tis from hence springs that invincible inclination to religious Worship which is so notorious and visible in the World, that they chose rather to worship Stocks and Stones,
It's from hence springs that invincible inclination to religious Worship which is so notorious and visible in the World, that they chosen rather to worship Stocks and Stones,
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'Tis from the same principle that the Laws of Justice and Honesty have so far possessed and over-ruled the minds of men, that they have made choice rather to expire in the observance of them,
It's from the same principle that the Laws of justice and Honesty have so Far possessed and overruled the minds of men, that they have made choice rather to expire in the observance of them,
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All which supposes, that man by his natural frame and constitution is powerfully determin'd to the exercise of those Religious Duties which God and Nature have imposed upon him,
All which supposes, that man by his natural frame and constitution is powerfully determined to the exercise of those Religious Duties which God and Nature have imposed upon him,
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the one is the subduing our Lusts and Passions, which the Scripture expresses under the hard terms of pulling out right Eyes, and plucking off right Hands.
the one is the subduing our Lustiest and Passion, which the Scripture Expresses under the hard terms of pulling out right Eyes, and plucking off right Hands.
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As to the former, the subduing our Lusts and Passions, this is nothing else but that regular order and oeconomy which God has established in the frame of man, that reason should have the ascendant and government over our passions,
As to the former, the subduing our Lustiest and Passion, this is nothing Else but that regular order and economy which God has established in the frame of man, that reason should have the Ascendant and government over our passion,
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But then it must be consider'd, that Self-love and Self-preservation, tho' they are the supreme Law of other Creatures, that have no higher Principles to steer by,
But then it must be considered, that Self-love and Self-preservation, though they Are the supreme Law of other Creatures, that have no higher Principles to steer by,
so that upon the whole matter it appears, that the Principles of Religion are so far from crossing the true genius and constitution of our nature, that they seem rather highly suited and agreeable to it.
so that upon the Whole matter it appears, that the Principles of Religion Are so Far from crossing the true genius and constitution of our nature, that they seem rather highly suited and agreeable to it.
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Had God Almighty never interposed his Authority in enforcing these Laws upon us, yet still they would have approved themselves to the reason of Mankind as wholsom rules and provisions at least, such as are admirably fitted to the state of humane nature.
Had God Almighty never interposed his authority in enforcing these Laws upon us, yet still they would have approved themselves to the reason of Mankind as wholesome rules and provisions At least, such as Are admirably fitted to the state of humane nature.
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The Principles of Justice, Honesty and Gratitude do bear such a congruity with our Reason, that they look rather like the Eternal Laws of our own Natures,
The Principles of justice, Honesty and Gratitude do bear such a congruity with our Reason, that they look rather like the Eternal Laws of our own Nature's,
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Whether they are naturally stampt upon the mind, or do grow up rather by the exercise of our own reason and discretion, has been matter of dispute amongst some:
Whither they Are naturally stamped upon the mind, or do grow up rather by the exercise of our own reason and discretion, has been matter of dispute among Some:
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And if we may guess at the reason of Mankind by the unalterable consent and approbation of the wisest men, this will amount to a very fair proof, that the Laws of Religion are nothing else but the common Principles of our own Reason:
And if we may guess At the reason of Mankind by the unalterable consent and approbation of the Wisest men, this will amount to a very fair proof, that the Laws of Religion Are nothing Else but the Common Principles of our own Reason:
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for 'tis plain, there is scarce any Government in the World, but what has approved of the matter of these Laws, by incorporating them into their respective Polities,
for it's plain, there is scarce any Government in the World, but what has approved of the matter of these Laws, by incorporating them into their respective Polities,
And the more any State have emproved their Reason, and civilized their Tempers, the higher in proportion they have advanced the Principles of Religion,
And the more any State have improved their Reason, and civilized their Tempers, the higher in proportion they have advanced the Principles of Religion,
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To Worship a Supreme Being, to be sober and temperate as to our selves, and to be just and honest to our neighbour, are the main substance of what our Saviour commands,
To Worship a Supreme Being, to be Sobrium and temperate as to our selves, and to be just and honest to our neighbour, Are the main substance of what our Saviour commands,
and yet all these we know have had the good luck to meet with a favourable suffrage and entertainment even from those that never discern'd any stamp of Divine Authority upon them.
and yet all these we know have had the good luck to meet with a favourable suffrage and entertainment even from those that never discerned any stamp of Divine authority upon them.
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because the general reception of them in the World can be ascribed to nothing else, but to that inherent goodness and excellency that recommended them.
Because the general reception of them in the World can be ascribed to nothing Else, but to that inherent Goodness and excellency that recommended them.
There is one Objection indeed against what I have urged, viz. That there have been several Governments in the World, that had so little sense of these Laws,
There is one Objection indeed against what I have urged, viz. That there have been several Governments in the World, that had so little sense of these Laws,
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For the clearing of which, we may consider, that Liberty is nothing else but a Power to act thus or thus, according as our best Reason shall determine;
For the clearing of which, we may Consider, that Liberty is nothing Else but a Power to act thus or thus, according as our best Reason shall determine;
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It being allow'd then, that 'tis no abridgment of true Freedom to be determin'd by wholsom Laws, all that remains is to shew, that the Laws of Religion do rather maintain our Liberty than destroy it.
It being allowed then, that it's not abridgment of true Freedom to be determined by wholesome Laws, all that remains is to show, that the Laws of Religion do rather maintain our Liberty than destroy it.
because these Laws have a natural tendency to free Mankind from the Dominion of those Lusts and Passions, which put the World into a true condition of slavery:
Because these Laws have a natural tendency to free Mankind from the Dominion of those Lustiest and Passion, which put the World into a true condition of slavery:
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for slavery, as it relates to the mind, is nothing else but an unnatural subjection of it to the dominion of sin, by which 'tis put quite out of its own power,
for slavery, as it relates to the mind, is nothing Else but an unnatural subjection of it to the dominion of since, by which it's put quite out of its own power,
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from whence he concludes, that all wicked men are slaves, because being bound over to work drudgery to their Lusts, they have no longer any commands over themselves,
from whence he concludes, that all wicked men Are slaves, Because being bound over to work drudgery to their Lustiest, they have no longer any commands over themselves,
And the Scripture does every where reckon them as slaves, by stiling them, the servants of sin, sold under sin, Rom. 6.16, 17. Hom. 7.14. v. 23. in captivity under the law of sin.
And the Scripture does every where reckon them as slaves, by styling them, the Servants of since, sold under since, Rom. 6.16, 17. Hom. 7.14. v. 23. in captivity under the law of since.
for our Lusts and Passions were born slaves to our Reason and Understanding, and therefore to be subjected to the dominion of these, is to be a slave to those that were born slaves to us,
for our Lustiest and Passion were born slaves to our Reason and Understanding, and Therefore to be subjected to the dominion of these, is to be a slave to those that were born slaves to us,
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And if subjection to Lust and Passion be the true state of Slavery, then consequently the Laws of Religion, that teach us to manage and govern these, are the best Fence and Security of our Freedom.
And if subjection to Lust and Passion be the true state of Slavery, then consequently the Laws of Religion, that teach us to manage and govern these, Are the best Fence and Security of our Freedom.
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Hence the Religion of the Gospel is stiled the perfect Law of Liberty, hence God's Service is call'd perfect Freedom, and good men only are honour'd with the Character of sons and free men.
Hence the Religion of the Gospel is styled the perfect Law of Liberty, hence God's Service is called perfect Freedom, and good men only Are honoured with the Character of Sons and free men.
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In short, this is the only true manly Liberty that I know of in the World, I mean that whereby the mind is set free from the dominion of our Passions, disengaged from the power of Lust,
In short, this is the only true manly Liberty that I know of in the World, I mean that whereby the mind is Set free from the dominion of our Passion, disengaged from the power of Lust,
And what a shame and reproach is this to Humane Nature, that we alone, who understand the Laws of our Frame, should be the only persons that trangress them.
And what a shame and reproach is this to Humane Nature, that we alone, who understand the Laws of our Frame, should be the only Persons that transgress them.
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and since the Commands of Religion are so highly Reasonable and Excellent in themselves, consequently our Minds should be affected as well with the Goodness and Excellency of those Laws,
and since the Commands of Religion Are so highly Reasonable and Excellent in themselves, consequently our Minds should be affected as well with the goodness and Excellency of those Laws,
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And since a true manly rational Liberty does consist only in a freedom from the Power and Dominion of our Vices, let's all henceforth shake off those Clogs and Ties of Lust and Passion, which have hitherto not only beset, but enslaved us.
And since a true manly rational Liberty does consist only in a freedom from the Power and Dominion of our Vices, let's all henceforth shake off those Clogs and Ties of Lust and Passion, which have hitherto not only beset, but enslaved us.
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And then as we shall find our selves free from the slavery of these, so we shall have no reason to complain, That his Commandments are grievous. FINIS.
And then as we shall find our selves free from the slavery of these, so we shall have no reason to complain, That his commandments Are grievous. FINIS.
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