466 LOGIC: OR, THE RIGHT USE OF REASON. to understand and practise it, in proportion to its necessity and importance. 10. Where two duties seem to stand in opposition to each other, and we cannot practise both, the less must give way to the greater, and the omission of the less is not sinful. So ceremo- nial laws give way to moral; God will have mercy and not. sacrifice. 11. In duties of natural religion, we may judge of the dif- ferent degrees of their necessity and importance by reason, ac- çording to their greater or more apparent tendency to the honour of God, and the good of men : but in matters of revealed reli- gion, it is only divine revelation can certainly inform us what is most necessary and most important ; yet we may be assisted also in that search by the exercises of reason. 12. In actions wherein there may be some scruple about the duty or lawfulness of them, we should choose always the safest side, and abstain as far as we can from the practice of things whose lawfulness we suspect. 13. Points of the greatest importance in human life, or in religion, are generally the most evident, both in the nature of things, and in the word of God ; and where points of faith or practice are exceeding difficult to find out; they cannot be exceed- ing important. This proposition may be proved by the goodness and faithfulness of God, as well as by experience and observa- tion. 14. In some of the outward practice and forms of religion, as well as human affairs, there is frequently a present necessity of speedy action one way or another.: in such a case, having sur- veyed arguments on both sides, as far_ as our time and circum- stances admit, we must guide our practice by those reasons which appear most probable, and seem at that time to overbalance the rest; yet always reserving room to admit farther light and evi- dence, when such occurrences return again. It is a preponder- ation of circumstantial arguments that 'must determine our actions in a thousand occurrences. 15. We may also determine upon probable arguments where the matter is of small consequence, and would not answer the trouble of seeking after certainty. Life and time are more pre- cious than to have a large share of them laid out in scrupulous . enquiries, whether smocking tobacco, of wearing a periwig be lawful or no. 16. Iq affairs of greater importance, and which may 'have a long, lasting, and extensive influence on our future conduct or happiness, we should not take up with probabilities, if certainty may be attained. Where there is any doubt on the mind, in such cases, we should call in the assistance of all manner of circum- stances, reasons, motives, consequences on all sides: we Must
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