SECTION L 5 waiting for more. And so alsoevry man, in his social capacity, for the same-reason, is under obligation toperform acts of public or social religion ; viz. prayer for public mercies wanted, such as good governors, peace, plenty, civil and religious liberty, &c. praise for public mercies received, and a profession of his hope . of public blessings, which he expects at the hands of God. If there were no other reasons for social religion to be found, yet I think the obligation of it would stand firm upon these twopil- lars. But Iadd, 3. It is a necessary and most effectual means of maintaining religion in this our world. Several persons, with united zeal, counsel, and strength, can do 'much toward the encouragement and assistance of each other: The elder, and more knowing, may instruct the ignorant ; and all may strengthen each other's hands in the things of God and godliness. They may defend each other against injuries, reproaches, and the shame of sin- gularity, and join in all proper practices to keep a sense of diviñe things lively and warm at their own hearts, and to excite others to the same practices of piety and goodness. Thus social religion appears with evidence to be the duty of mankind. II. There are but two ways whereby God teaches usreli- gion ; that is, by the light of nature; which he has planted in men, and the light of revelation, which, in various ways, and in different ages of the world, he has communicated to men. And accordingly, religion is distinguished into natural and revealed. By each of these methods of teaching, men may be instructed in social as well as personal godliness, and learn to perform the several parts and duties of it, according to their different extent of instruction. As revealed religion in general, acknowledges natural religion for its foundation, so all the parts of social as well as personal religion, whether doctrine or duty, worship or order, so far as they are revealed and prescribed in the word of God, are still founded on principles of natural light and rea- son. Whatsoever therefore revelation has added, is but some positive or supernatural structure upon that foundation, without the opposition or contrariety to any parts thereof ; for it is God 'himself that teaches -us by the light of nature and reason; and we can never suppose that, by revelation, he will give us in- structions which are contrary to the very principles of reason, and to those fundamental lessonsof religion which he has written in our natures. Human reason is the first ground and spring of all human religion. Man is obliged to religion because he is a reasonable creature. Reason directs and obliges us not only to searchout and practise the will of God, as far as natural con.. science will lead us, but also to examine, receive, and obey, all the revelations which come from God, where we are placed A3
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