Essays on the Principles of Political Philosophy, Designed to Illustrate and Establish the Civil and Religious Rights of Man; Chiefly in Reference to

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.1812 Excerpt: ... l- '.'. _ Religious principles tte basis of moral excellence. exercise their thinking faculties, and resolve to follow that light which God has given them, derive a creed from the accurate or erroneous deliberations of their own minds; while the stupid and credulous, who spend their days in thoughtlessness or folly, adopt the religion bequeathed by their progenitors, or embrace without reflection the favourite systems of their partizans and friends. As religious principles are thus mechanically connected with human nature, so likewise are they inseparably combined with the moral excellence and friendly intercourse of social life. No man can be happy in his own conscience, any longer than his deportment harmonizes with his moral and religious views. Every one who is actuated by the love of truth, and convinced of the excellence of his own opinions, is not only desirous that others around him should perceive their beauty, but resolves likewise to proclaim them to the world, and discover to his associates their inherent worth and benignant tendency. The religion of every individual is thus entwined with all th- enjoyments of civil life, and inseparable from the dignity of his moral character. Whoever therefore encroaches on his religious freedom, insults him as a man, and invades his birthright privileges as a fellow citizen. Multitudes of the human race indeed, seem to livt almost entirely without thought, and consequently without fixed principles. To investigate their motives, or ascertain an accurate idea of those sentiment by which their lives are actuated, is not only difficult, Religious principles Ike basis of moral excellence. but nearly impracticable. But though destitute of decisively specific principles, they are nevertheless influenced by some...