236 Self -government f ntial to Wilda)). S E R M. without any means of defending itfelf, pre-, IX. ferving its rights, or proteEting its inhabi- `°` tants : Jult fo is the man in whom reafon and confcience have loft their force, and no more maintain their dominion over the lower affections ; he is a prey to every temptation, having no defence againft it ; fierce pafíìons, with an impetuous fury, drive him (and he bath no power to refift them) juft as (hips are driven by a tempeft. In this cafe it is impoßîble to attain to wifdom or virtue, and to make any progrefs in it, for it is the belt exercife of reafon. Religion is a rea- fonable fervice, and liberty is effentially ne- ceffary to it ; for without willingnefs, or a free choice (every one is fenfible) there can be no fuch thing as religion or virtue. Though we may very well conceive moral goodnefs, indeed, the molt perfe t% without what Solomon calleth rule over our own fpi- rit, or a maftery over paliions and other in- firmities; becaufe there is no fuch thing, no affections or difpofitions of a contrary tendency in the molt perfect being ; nor doth goodnefs neceffarily include it : Yet in the imperfect fiate of the human nature, the meafure of virtue dependeth on, and is pro- portionate to the degree of our conqueft over the frailties, the felfifh affections and pal fions
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