'CONF.E1 ENCE -1, . 415 inward notices, when they violatethe rule of their duty, especially in grosser instances, and smite them with an inward reproach, though it may not be so frequent, nor in so explicit a manner, as I was ready to imagine,before we had talked over this matter so particularly. PITH. 1 have granted it, Sir; and it is very likely, at some seasons of grosser transgression, or when their natural spirits are low, they may feel such inward reproaches of conscience more plain and pungent But having no fixed and settled rules of duty, these little uneasinesses quickly vanish, like a qualm ofsickness that passes over the stomach; they forget their own iniquities, and they are prone to fancy, that God forgets them too : And thus they go on again to their old barbarity and in. justice, their gluttony and drunkenness. I grant this conduct is greatly criminal, yet it is the common case, till by degrees, conscience, grows callous and insensible, and they sin without - remorse. LOG. I confess when we observe so. little of the workingsof conscience in men, to. convince them of sin, in such a knowing and rational land and age as ours, when we observe how much the voice of conscience is neglected, and how easily it is silenced, when we find it grows hard and stupid by degrees, and at last permits men without any remorse, to commit all villainies, in spite of all the remonstrancesof God and man, it is no wonder. that conscience has a very feeble influence in such wild, and un- knowing, and unpolished countries, where irreligion and intem- peranceare thecustomand fashion fromgeneration togeneration. PITH. Well then, Sir, since you allow me this, please to proceed, and inform me, how they shall come to know, if they shall be once convinced of sin, that they must repent. of it ; that is, be sorry for it, and abstainfrom it? Loc. This repentance is the most natural and obvious prac- tice that the reason of man can dictate to him, to appease anof- fended God: It is going as far as he can, to- undo that evil he bath done ; and therefore the reason of every man would conduct him to penitence under a sense ofpast sin. PITH. But we do not find this duty towards God lias been so constantly taught, or practised so, very much by human reason, even among the philosophers , and the inhabitants of Rome or Athens, as to imagine that the Indian savages should prescribe this duty to themselves. Though here and there a wise man might mention repentance as a duty, et. it is evident the polite nationsof heathenism were generallyfor offering sa- en/ices of one kind or other, to make compensation fbr.theircrimes, without much solicitude or care about repentance as a duty to God, and a watchful careof a better obedience. And in these parts of America where they make pretences to any sense
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