381 STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF HUMAN REASON. capacity to discover such motives to enforce the practise of these duties, as will be a balance to all those temptations which the pre- sent constitution of things unavoidably subjects him to. And by a sufficiency to guide and conduct a man in matters of religion, I understand such a capacity or power in man, when duly exer- cised, as is sufficient to answer these purposes without any thing superadded ; and which will render him in justice and equity inexcusable if he miscarries." Give me leave to add this one thing, that by mentioning future blessedness in my state of the question, you see I intend to declare my profession of the immor- tality of the soul, and a state of rewards and punishments to be dispensed in the other world, by God the righteous Governor and the Judge of all, according to our behaviourin the present state. Well, Pithander, do you agree to this account of the terms we shall use in this dispute ? PITH. Yes, I think I do, sir; for I see nothing necessary tobe objected against it at present. Loa. Then, since we have settled the meaning of the ques- tion, I will now enter upon the argument, and endeavour to prove the sufficiency of human reason to guide andconduct men to happiness, in a way of religion, though they have no revelation. PITH. I think, sir, it will be necessary for us still to enquire, and agree yet more particularly, how far this idea of religion reaches, what are the chief articles it comprehends : that is, what are those truths which are necessary to be known and believed, upon which these duties depend ; and what are those duties which are necessary to be practised, to obtain the favour of God and happiness in another world ? LOG. I perfectly approve' of your proposal, sir; and when we have settled these articles, let us see first, whether reason be not sufficient to guide or instruct us in the knowledge of them all ; and afterward we will debate, whether the same reason cannot by them conduct us to heaven ; that is, whether reason has not a sufficient natural power by proper motives to enforce the practice of the duties which it teaches us, and bring us there- by to happiness. These arethe two things which I mean byguid- ing "lid conducting. PITH. I consent to this method, sir ; and since perhaps you and I shall hardly agree at once upon all the articles of this ne- cessary religion, I dare venture to propose that Sophronius may be desired to reckon them up, as an impartial person between us. Ihope he will notfail to do justice in this part of the argument. Loa. Pray, Sophronius, please to take this trouble upon you : It will be no difficult matter for you, who are so well ac- quainted with these disputes, to tell us at so short a warning, what mere reason makes necessary for man to believe and prac- tise, if ever he would hope to obtain the favour of God.
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