-
Articles/Ads
Article CONTEMPLATIONS OF A PHILOSOPHER. ← Page 2 of 2 Article NEW THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contemplations Of A Philosopher.
There evidently exists , therefore , in the soul of man , an innate principle of justice and goodness ; by which , in spite of our own maxims , we approve or condemn the actions of ourselves and others : to this principle it is that I give the appellation of conscience . To account for virtuous actions , wc need only to distinguish between our acquired ideas and our natural sentiments ; for we are sensible before we are intelligent ; andas we do not learn to avoid what is evil
, , but possess this desire immediately from nature , so the love of virtue , and hatred of vice , are as natural as the love of ourselves . I see in myeelf nothing more than the work and instrument of a superior Being , desirous of , and doing good ; desirous also of effecting mine , by the concurrence of my will to his own , and by making a right use o ; my liberty . If I do a good action in secret , I know that
it is nevertheless seen , and make the consideration of another life the rule of my conduct in this . If I am ever dealt with unjustly , I say to myself , that just Being , who governs all things , knows how to indemnify me . My corporeal necessities , and the miseries inseparable from this mortal life , make the apprehensions of death more supportable . 1 have hence so many chains the less to break , when I am obliged to quit this mortal scene . I exercise my mind in sublime contemplations . I meditate on the order of tlie universe , and adore its all-wise Creator , whose features I
trace m his workmanship . With him-I am thus enabled to converse , and to exert my faculties in the contemplation of his divine essence ; I am affected by his beneficence ; I praise him for his mercies , but never so far forget myself as to pray . For what should I ask of him ? That he should for my sake pervert the order of things , and work miracles in my favour ? Shall I , who ought to love and admire , above all tilings , that order which is established by his wisdomand maintained
, by his providence , desire that such order should be broken for me ? No ; such a rash petition would rather merit punishment than acceptance . Nor can I pray to him for the power of acting arig ht : for why should I petition for what he hath already given me ? Plas he not given me conscience to love virtue , reason to know what it is , and liberty to make it my choice ? If I do evil , 1 have no excuse : I do it because I
will ; to desire him to change my will , is to require that of him which he requires of me : this would be to desire him to do my work , while 1 receive the reward . Nor to be content wtth my situation in the order , of things , is to desire to be no longer a man ; it is to wish things were otherwise constituted than they are : ' to wish for evil and disorder . No , thou source of justice and truth ! God ! merciful and just ! placing my
confidence in thee , the chief desire of my heart is , that th y will be done . By " rendering my will conformable to thine , I acquiesce in thy goodness ,, and conceive myself alread y a partaker of that supreme felicity which is its reward .
New Thoughts On Civility.
NEW THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY .
CIVILIT Y may be defined , a ceremonious compact entered into by men , who are thereby engaged to reciprocal demonstrations of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contemplations Of A Philosopher.
There evidently exists , therefore , in the soul of man , an innate principle of justice and goodness ; by which , in spite of our own maxims , we approve or condemn the actions of ourselves and others : to this principle it is that I give the appellation of conscience . To account for virtuous actions , wc need only to distinguish between our acquired ideas and our natural sentiments ; for we are sensible before we are intelligent ; andas we do not learn to avoid what is evil
, , but possess this desire immediately from nature , so the love of virtue , and hatred of vice , are as natural as the love of ourselves . I see in myeelf nothing more than the work and instrument of a superior Being , desirous of , and doing good ; desirous also of effecting mine , by the concurrence of my will to his own , and by making a right use o ; my liberty . If I do a good action in secret , I know that
it is nevertheless seen , and make the consideration of another life the rule of my conduct in this . If I am ever dealt with unjustly , I say to myself , that just Being , who governs all things , knows how to indemnify me . My corporeal necessities , and the miseries inseparable from this mortal life , make the apprehensions of death more supportable . 1 have hence so many chains the less to break , when I am obliged to quit this mortal scene . I exercise my mind in sublime contemplations . I meditate on the order of tlie universe , and adore its all-wise Creator , whose features I
trace m his workmanship . With him-I am thus enabled to converse , and to exert my faculties in the contemplation of his divine essence ; I am affected by his beneficence ; I praise him for his mercies , but never so far forget myself as to pray . For what should I ask of him ? That he should for my sake pervert the order of things , and work miracles in my favour ? Shall I , who ought to love and admire , above all tilings , that order which is established by his wisdomand maintained
, by his providence , desire that such order should be broken for me ? No ; such a rash petition would rather merit punishment than acceptance . Nor can I pray to him for the power of acting arig ht : for why should I petition for what he hath already given me ? Plas he not given me conscience to love virtue , reason to know what it is , and liberty to make it my choice ? If I do evil , 1 have no excuse : I do it because I
will ; to desire him to change my will , is to require that of him which he requires of me : this would be to desire him to do my work , while 1 receive the reward . Nor to be content wtth my situation in the order , of things , is to desire to be no longer a man ; it is to wish things were otherwise constituted than they are : ' to wish for evil and disorder . No , thou source of justice and truth ! God ! merciful and just ! placing my
confidence in thee , the chief desire of my heart is , that th y will be done . By " rendering my will conformable to thine , I acquiesce in thy goodness ,, and conceive myself alread y a partaker of that supreme felicity which is its reward .
New Thoughts On Civility.
NEW THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY .
CIVILIT Y may be defined , a ceremonious compact entered into by men , who are thereby engaged to reciprocal demonstrations of