CONFERENCE IV. 503 that is; that they must practise hearty repentance for past sins, prayer for divine forgiveness, and watchful endeavours to fulfil all duty, and avoid every sin for time to come. I suppose, there- fore, that though mankind, according to the constitution and law of the propagation of their natures, is brought into the world under unhappy circumstances, with prejudices against truth and goodness, and propensities to evil, yet there is in the nature of man still, such a principle of reason' and conscience remaining, as now and then gives him secret hints and intimations of the differences of good and evil, and the different consequences of them : And that if all these hints were duly attended to; and . rightly pursued, they would lead him to true repentance, and give him encouraging hopes of acceptance in the sight of God. And this rational principle, i have granted, is found in some con- siderable degrees- among the more learned and polite nations ; nor are the most rude and unpolished tribes of mankind utterly destitute of it : And: perhaps this is full as much as can be any way claimed, by a degenerate and sinful race of creatures at the hands of an offended Creator and righteous Governor. But I proceed, Sixthly, let us suppose farther, in order to .vindicate the justice and goodness of God in his, conduct toward mankind, that he has made some particular and express revelation and dis- covery of his own laws, and lips intended grace and mercy to- wards man, in hi degenerate state; and that this discovery of duty and grace has been made to all mankind, that is, to all who are the parents and progenitors of the present raceof mortals ; and that it'was committed to them for the use of themselves and their offspring. Suppose that God had, in some express man- ner, taught them what they should do, as men, to please him, and as sinners, to remove his, anger, and to become afresh interested in his love, and to obtainhappiness in a way of religion. And suppose after this, that mankind, or at least the greatest part of them, should have neglected to practise these rules of religion, or to transmit them to their offspring, is the wisdom and goodness of God bound to be perpetually renewing his discoveries of grace and mercy to everyage? Is it not sufficiently manifest, in the nature of things, that parents should provide for their child- ren's safety ? Has not God wrought it in some measure, into the very constitution of men, that they should take care of the wel- fare and happiness of their offspring ? What is that natural and almost universal tenderness that is found in parents towards their children ? Is it not a dictate of the God of nature to them, that they might take care of the true happiness of those whom they bring into the world, and that in their relations to God, as well as their relations to thisworld ? And has not the great and blessed God done all that justice or- equity could require for such a sin-
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