394 STRÈNOTn AND WEAKNESS OF III/MAN ;MASON. LOO. I allow this further limitation of the question, 'Pithander, though I can hardly admit your reason for it. I am therefore free to assert, that even in heathen countries, where not the least ray of christianity has shined, their own reason of itself has light enough to guide ,men in their way through this world to a better. PITH. I procéed then Sir, in the third place,tosay, weare not enquiring at present, what degree of knowledge here and there a heathen philosopher may possibly arrive at, whogave him- self up to retirement and study, uud2rthe advantagesof a learned education ; but what acquaintance withreligion thebulk ofmankind in the heathen countries couldacquire by their own reason, many of whom have but a low genius, poor natural parts, and those uncul- tivated, and whose views are very narrow, and their powers of reasoningexceeding feeble ? What could theydo to find out the rules of religion and virtue for themselves, who are continually busied in the affairs of life, to provide meat, drink, and cloathing for themselves and their household, or pursuing the grandeurs, honours, or pleasures of life with impetuous appetite and con- stant application ? Could human reason, Sir, as it is found in these busy people, especially in the low ranks of life, or in per- sons of low parts, frame sucha religion for themselves, and such rules of virtue, as to entitle them to their Maker's favoür. Mis- takeme not Logisto, as if I here granted, that the philosophers, even in Rome or Athens, the brightest and the best of them, did ever find out such a scheme of religion as would lead mankind to heaven and eternal happiness, or such a system as could be effectual to reform the world, or were ever like to do it. Dr. Clarke himself has sufficiently shewn to the contrary in his treatise of Revealed Religion. See his fifth and sixth propo- sitions, which he hath abundantly proved at large. The learn- ed Mr. Millar in that excellent work,hisHistoryof the Propa- gation of Christianity, has made it plain beyond all just excep- tion, vol. I. page 36-50. Edit. 3. This book is cited with honour by the bishop of London, in his SecondPastoral Letter, which bath set this matter also in a strong light, from page 7. to page 38. Mr. Locke himself, whom all the world admires as a master of reason, and who allowed as much power to human reason as one could well desire, asserts in his Reasona- bleness of Christianity, page 268. Natural religion in its full extent, was no where that I know of, taken care of by the force of natural reason. It should seem 'hrl the little that kath hitherto been done in it, that it is too hard a thing for un- assisted reason to establish morality in all its parts upon its true foundations with a clear and convincing light. You see Logisto, what great names I produce to you, even among modern and rational writers, who will not allow the heathenphilosophers to
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