Occasional Thoughts in Reference to a Vertuous or Cristian life eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 123 pages of information about Occasional Thoughts in Reference to a Vertuous or Cristian life.

Occasional Thoughts in Reference to a Vertuous or Cristian life eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 123 pages of information about Occasional Thoughts in Reference to a Vertuous or Cristian life.

Those yet who think Revelation to be needless in this regard, how well soever they may, possibly, intend to Natural Religion, do herein entertain an Opinion that would undermine it:  Experience shewing us that Natural Light, unassisted by Revelation, is insufficent to the Ends of Natural Religion:  A Truth necessary to be acknowledg’d to the having a due value for the benefit that we receive by the Revelation of Jesus Christ; and many, who profess belief in him, have not a right estimation of that benefit on this very account, viz. as thinking too highly, or rather wrongly of Natural Light:  notwithstanding that nothing is more undeniably true than that from the meer Light of Nature Men actually were so far from discovering the Law of Nature in its full extent or force, as that they did not generally own, and but very imperfectly discern, its prescriptions or obligation.  ’Tis also alike evident that as Christianity has prevail’d, it has together with Polytheism, and (in great measure) Idolatry, beaten out likewise the allow’d Practice of gross Immorality; which in the Heathen World was countenanc’d, and incourag’d by the examples of their very Gods themselves; and by being frequently made even a part in Religious Worship.  For the Truth of this effect of Christianity we must appeal to History; from whence if any one should imagine they could oppose any contrary example, it could (I think) be taken but from one only Country; wherein (if the Historian says right) Morality was more exemplary than in any other that we know of for near 400 Years that its Pagan Natives possess’d it; whose exterminators (calling themselves Christians) made it a most deplorable Scene of Injustice, Cruelty and Oppression, bringing thither Vices unknown to those former Inhabitants.  But what only can follow from this example is, That a People, having a continu’d Succession of Princes, who study to advance the good of the Community, making that the sole Aim of their Government; and directing all their Laws, and Institutions to that End (which was the peculiar felicity of those happy Americans) will without other than Natural Light much better practice all social Vertues, than Men set loose from Law and Shame; who tho’ Baptiz’d into the Name of Christ have not yet so much as a true Notion of Christianity, to the which, may certainly be added, or than any other People, who tho’ they have the Light of the Gospel among them, yet are not govern’d by the Laws thereof; and a truly Christian Common-wealth in this sense, remains yet to be seen in the World; which when it is, the Vertue, and Felicity of such a People will be found much to surpass the (perhaps partial) account which we have of that of the Peruvians; whose so long uninterrupted Succession of Excellent Princes, is what only is admirable in the account we have of them; and not the Force of the Light of Nature in those People, who being apparently of tractable, gentle dispositions, and tir’d with the Miseries of a Life to the last degree Brutish,

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Occasional Thoughts in Reference to a Vertuous or Cristian life from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.