z I G Of Inability to do Good S E R M. barbarous, and which muff obvioufly appear VIII. fo to plain unprejudiced reafon, being evi- 1z--v'j dently contrary to the firft principles of hu- manity; I fay, to make them believe fuch things not only innocent but laudable. Take the habit of fuperfition for an example: What cruelties bath it produced, quite ex- tinguilhing humanity itfelf ? In many coun- tries men can without relenting, nay, with pleafure, fee their fellow creatures racked, tortured, burned alive, for pretended falfe opinions in religion. Alk them, is it not inhuman to treat any of mankind in fuch a manner ? No, an unexamined cuftomary bigotry hath quite effaced reafon and natural affeEtion, and made the fuperftitious believe, not merely that the pratice is innocent (which the profane (wearer thinketh, at leaft will not be fenfible of the contrary) but that it is highly commendable as pious zeal, and very acceptable fervice to God. if habits prevail fo far, even againft nature, as to reconcile men to impious irreverence for the name of God, and to horrid barba- rity againft their fellow creatures, contrary to the plaineft dilates of human reafon, it is no wonder their force is great where nature itfelf hath led the way, and there is a con - curring or a previous temptation from what the
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