4O2 STRENGTIH AND WEAKNESS OF HUMAN REASON. the same manner, in all the future states,but will make a sensible difference between vice and virtue : Constant and persevering piety shall be some way or other rewarded at last, and obstinate iniquity and irreligion shall be punished. But all that I main- tain at present against you, Sir, is this : That the doctrine of future and certain rewards at the end o this life, is not so neces- sary to be manifested to creatures in this life, as to cast an accu- sation:ofinjustice against Gad, if he does not make them sensible- of it : nor is it so evident to our mere reasoning powers, nor so easy and so obvions to every man in the world, as you may ima- gine : You know, Sir, the wholesect of the sadducees dented it : Nor is it so plain, that the wild tribes of the Negroes, or the Iroquois should readily find out ; for in fact, many of them are ignorant of it to this day. .Your silence, Logisto, discovers a generous conviction. Then let us proceed to some other points in natural religion, and enquire how easy it would be for the hulk of the heathen world to find them out : Pray tell me, Sir, how an American might easily convince himself, that God governs the world at all, or takes any notice of it, when he sees things run at random, and a thousand events among mankind, so un- suitable to the conduct of a wise gonernor, so far as our view of things can reach. Loc. Surely an American has reason enough to find out, and be assured cf this, that the Almighty Being who made all things, must certainly have the knowledge of all the creatures that he has made, and . of all their actions : And that he cannot but see the virtues of the righteous with approbation, because they reverence their Maker, and practise what is right And that he beholds the vices of the wicked with disgust and resentment, because they neglect their duty, or disobey the laws of nature whichhe has written in their hearts : And therefore, though he does not immediately interpose to skew his approbation or re- sentment by present sensiblerewards er punishments, yet ltc will certainly do it at one time or another. PITII. I think, Sir, this is littlemore than abare repetitionof the same thing you urged in other Words,' and few American savages exercise their reason so far. Give me the liberty there- fore, Sir, to amplify what I have said : When these rude crea- turessee year after year,-and age after -age, that there is no such equitable distinction made by Providence between the good and the bad, when the wicked flourish in health, in success, and plenty, when the peaceful and sober man falls perhaps under more oppressions and injuries than the men of wrath and vio- lence, and labours under natural wants and diseases in common with other men : When theyobserve iniquity and oppression fill the seats of power and government among men in this life, and that among christians as well as heathens ; and that all die, alit,
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