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On Natural Religion . { fat
Untitled Article
It is obvious * that in considering the disciple of nature , we are not to regard him as a solitary individual , placed either in a paradise or a desert ; for we do not now come into the world in this mariner : and yet Milton , whose great work is justly extolled bv Mr . Aduisoa , as furnishing an
admirable clue-to unravel many knotty poiiitsin divinity , has described the head of our race , in the first of these views , and duly represented him , previous to any direct converse with his Maker , as a subject of religion .
B . viii . v . 250 , &c . But man , in general is to be regarded in his relative capacity , as born in a state of society , more or less civilized , and with greater ov lesser advantages . In this view it has been generally allowed that his original powers and faculties , gradually unfolded and duly exercised ,
will lead him to the knowledge of a Supreme Power ; of his duty to him , arid to his fellow-creatures , and to the hopes and fears of futurity . He may be " born > " indeed , " like a wild ass ' s colt , ' and without culture , may remain so ; but tins is as true under
the gospel as under the law , either of Moses , or of nature . But we need not go far to derive the obligations of religion and morality . That which is fit and necessary for all , the Deity
hath been pleased to render obvious to all . When one rational being was created , the obligation of piety commenced ; when two were created , the obligations of justice and benevolence commenced . This is " the law of
first inscription , the principles of which are natural to man , and obvious to his reason , and which are , especially as to their first and more immediate emanations , the same in all % n in the world , and in all times and places ; net deriving their authority from any ^ arbitra ry constitu-/
uujs , out from the moral and intrinsic nature of the things themselves , "* ^ changeable as the attribut es of |^ ty , and stable as his everlasting throne , ' . Hence , in all ages , we * ,, may conceive the pipus and inquiring disciple w nature , as reasoning with himself , . W hat am I ? ' whence this wonar frame of nature , of things and
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beings around me ? That golden sun , this azure sky , this rich bespangled firmanent ! The species to which I belong is evidently superior to all these , animate or inanimate : the
latter appear to be governed by fixed laws ; the former , though more diversified in their forms and operations , yet seldom deviate from their
usual track j they live and sport awhile , fully occupied by the present moment , but incapable of anticipating the future , and then they die , and return not again-f / have many necessities and enjoyments in common with these , but 1 have more . I have higher pleasures , and I have also greater cares ! I am obliged to provide for
futurity , by the very condition of my being ; else I should quickly be destroyed by the ravages of the elements , and , a 3 far as relates to the body , sink into my original nothing : nay ,
without the instrumentality of man , ev £ n nature herself would partially fail ; the great machine indeed would go on , but the suInordinate parts would coalesce or be destroyed . Without a
fostering hand to place itin the ground , the seed of the field would be lost , and both men and animals perish with hunger . But I have still higher pow * ers and capacities : I can reason ,
compare , discriminate and judge . I have a conscience , a sense of right and of wrong , of good and of evil ; and experience tells me , that in proportion as I . attend to these distinctions , I am generally happy or unhappy . I am naturally inclined to associate with those of nay own species , and to do
them all the good in . my power ; and I perceive that " the world would be poor , notwithstanding ; the bounties of nature , without mutual communication , and the kind offices of social life ; " J artd I feel sentiments of reverence and gratitude to some unknown and invisible power \ who must have
created me , and every tiling that I behold , and whose favour is essential to my happiness . " O that I knew where i might Jind him , that I might approach even to his seat I" But this is impossible , at least for the present * extept by humble prayer and devout adoration— -a dark valley is before me ;
1 * Some animals and insects by natural instinct , provide fo , but cannot properly "be Ifeid f to anticipate the future . \ Runter ' * " Good-HftftU *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1815, page 621, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1765/page/21/
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