This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1758 edition. Excerpt: ...intercourfe, can be derived only from the affiftance of religion; which influences the nicer connections and dependencies of mankind, as it regulates and corrects the heart. How many tyrannies may I exercife as a parent, how many hardfhips may I inffict as a mafter, if I take the.ftatutes of my country for the ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1758 edition. Excerpt: ...intercourfe, can be derived only from the affiftance of religion; which influences the nicer connections and dependencies of mankind, as it regulates and corrects the heart. How many tyrannies may I exercife as a parent, how many hardfhips may I inffict as a mafter, if I take the.ftatutes of my country for the on-ly guides of my actions, and think every thing lawful that is not civilly penal? The truth is, a man may be injured in a variety of inftances far more atro-cioufly, than by what the law confiders either as a fraud or a robbery. Now ia cafes of this kind (and many very important cafes of this kind there are) to remove the bars of religion, is to throw open the gates of oppreffion: it is to leave the ho-jieft expofed to the injurious inroads of thofe (andthey are far, perhaps, the greateft part of mankind) who, tho they would never dojujlice and kve mercy, in compliance with the dictates of nature; would fcrupuloufly practice both in obedience to the rules, of revelation. The grift of dtif fpecles CM i deed, be influenced by abftra3 reaforririg, nor captivated by the naked chafms of Vlr tue: on the contrary, nothing feemS mote evident than that thfe generality of mankind muft be engaged by fenfible 6bje!s; rfitift be wrought upon by their hopes and feats. And this has been the conftant maxim of all the celebrated legiflators, from the earlieft eftablifhmerlt of govefntnerit, to this prefent hour. It is true, rionfe have contended rn6r6 Warmly than irle. entients for the dignity of human rta-ture, and the native difpbfitioh of the foul to be enamored with the beaiity of virtdt: but it is equally true, that none have' lilbre ftrenuoufly inculcated the expediency of adding the authority of religion to the; fuggeftions of nature, and...
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