CONFERENCE I: 383 you Can have to think him so, on account of his moderation and his generous charity. I amwell assured that he is no bigot, that he never runs into any extremes, nor follows any opinion for the sake of party : I think we may safely take him for a moderator between us ; and I shall be glad to have him not only shew us what he observes of strength or weakness in each of our argu- ments, but shall request his final sentiments on the theme of our controversy." Upon this Pithander soon agreed to the propo- sal : " Let him, then, said he, hear our present debates, if you please, and pronounce at last on the subject." By this time Lo- gisto's servant had got down to the summer house, and having told his master of his new-come guest, he was ordered immedi- ately to wait on him down the long myrtle walk, and let him know how much his company was desired. When they had paid mutual salutations, Logisto informed Sophronius of the intent of their meeting, of the subject of their intendedconference, and of the office to which theyhadboth appointed him ; and they joined tointreat his consent. After a few becoming excuses, Sophronius chose rather to obey their order, than to disappoint the design of the evening : And see, said he, the sun grows low, thereforelet your debatecommence. Upon this Logisto began: Loe. My business, Pithander, is toprove, that human reason, without any revelationfrom heaven, is sufficient to guide and conduct mankind in a way of religion, to the favour of God, and future blessedness. Now that we may understand one another perfectly, and keep up the same ideas of the terms we use, throughout the whole dispute, I will try whether first we cannot settle the sense of them to our mutual satisfaction. PITH. Then let us hear, sir, your explication of the terms. Los. I question whether I can do it better than a late writer on this subject has done : I will make use of his words there- fore, which are contained in the first page of his book : I have just bought it : Mere it lies by me in the summer-house, and I will read the lines to you, sir, with a very little alteration. " By reason, I understand that faculty or power of the mind by which men discern and judge of right and wrong, of good and evil, of truth and error, and the like. By matters of religion, I under- stand not merely the practices of piety toward God, but of virtue and sobriety with regard to our neighbours and ourselves, and in general all those things which men are accountable for to the Maker and Governor of the universe ; and thereby render them- selves the proper objects of reward or punishment. By guidance and conduct in matters of religion, I understand an ability or capacity,.if carefully and faithfully exercised, to discover what are these duties of piety and virtue, or what it is which man in reason and equity is accountable for, and which will render him the proper object of divinefavour or displeasure; and likewisea
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