ínCoutrtbíngOAfs'0 ifictemption. 3 God, that is, of the firft and fupremeBeing, excludes Chap. I. all poffibility of obligation to _ another, -who hathfirß l..l,T given to the Lord, and it fhall be recompenfed to him Rom. cc.35 again ? and of fubje&ion to a Law ; for fupremacy and fubjedion are incompatible: fo the quality of a Creature includes the relation of dependance, and na- tural fubje&ion to the Will of God. This is moft evident from that common Principle which governs the intelligent Creation: 'Tis a moral Maxime towhich the reafonable nature neceffarily of tints, that the dif- penfing of benefits acquires to the Giver a Right to command, and lays on the Receiver an Obligation to obey:; and theCe rights and duties are meafirred by the nature of the benefits as their jufl Rule. This is vi- fible in that Dominionwhich is amongfl men. If we afcend to thefirf Springs of Humane Laws-,. we (hall find the original Right of Power to arife ei- ther from Generation in Nature, or Prefervation in War, or foirepublic& Good accruing to the Society by the prudent care of the Governour. Now the be- ing and bleflèdnefs ofthe creature are the greatefl and moll valuable benefits that can be received; and in the bellowing of them is laid the moft real foundation of Power and Authority. Upon this account Man who derives his life and felicity fromGod, is under a natural and flrong obligation to comply with his will. From this right of. Creation God alerts his univerfal Dominion: I have made the Earth, and created Man Ifa.45, a 2, . upon it, even my hands havefiretcht out the Heavens, and all their boils have I commanded. And the Pfal-1 Pfau. oe. .: miff tells us, Knowye. that the Lord he is God, it isHe that made us, and not we our f lves ; we are his people and the flaeep ofhis. paflure. His Jurifdidion is groun- ded on his propriety in Man; and "that arifes from his giving being to him : Remember, O Ifrad, for ifa.4421 >, tbon..
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