CHAPTER XX. I99 which may arise relating to real inspiration or prophecy, to wild enthusiasm, to fits of a convulsive kind, to melancholy or phrenzy, &c. and what directions are proper to be given concern- ing any appearances of this nature. XXI. Next to the knowledge of natural things, and ac- quaintance with the human nature and constitution, which is made up of soul and body, I think natural religion properly takes its place. This consists of these two parts, viz. (L) 'Ehe spe- culative or contemplative, which is the knowledge of God in his various perfections, and in his relations to his rational creatures, so far as may be known by the light of nature, which heretofore used to be called the second part of metaphysics. It includes also (2.) That which is practical or active, which is the know- ledge of the several duties that arise from our relation to God, and our relatiop to fellow-creatures, and our proper conduct and government ofourselves : this has been used to be called ethics, or moral philosophy. XXII. The knowledge of these things is proper for all men of learning ; not only because it teaches them to obtain juster views of the several parts of revealed religion, and ofchristianity which are built upon them, but because every branch of natural religion and of moral duty is contained, and necessarily implied in all the revealed religions that ever God prescribed to the world. We may well suspect that religion does not dime from God, which renounces any part of natural duty. Whether mankind live under the dispensation of the Patri- archs, or of Moses, or the prophets, or of our Lord Jesus Christ, still we are bound to know the one true. God, and to prac- tise all that adoration and reverence, all that love to- him, that faith in his perfections, with that obedience and submission to his ,will, which natural religion requires. , We are still bound to ex- ercise that justice, truth and goodness towards our neighbours, that restraint and moderation of our own appetites and passions, and that regular behaviour towards ourselves and all our fellow creatures around us, which moral philosophy teaches. There is no sort of revealed religion that will dispense with-these natural obligations : and a happy acquaintance with the several appetites, inclinations, and passions of human nature, and the best me- thods to rule and restrain, to direct and govern them, ire our constant business, and ought to be our everlasting study. Yet I would lay down this caution, viz. That since, students are instructed in the knowledge of the true God in their lectures on christianity, and since among the christian duties theyare also taught all the moral dictates of the light of nature, or a complete scheme of ethics, there is no absolute necessity of learning these two parts of natural religion, as distinct sciences, separate and by themselves ; but still it isof great importance for a tutor,
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