capable of fuchPunishments,fhould be restored again to the fame Body, or be united to any other Body. CHA P. IX. The Grounds of Error concerning moral Truth, with the Means of removing them. I. A Difficulty moved. II. The Confequence drawn from it denied; and what may be justly inferred. 3. Reafons of Ig norance in Men concerning moral Truths. IV, V. The two main Sources of Error, and the Tendency of them. VI, VII. Concerning Weakness of Mind, and the Effects of it. VIII. A culpable Diffidence in Men. IX. Why the Principles of Morality are not known without a competent Application. X. Concerning Liberty of Mind. XI. Man not always governed by the Light of his Mind. XII. The Reafon. XIII, XIV. XV. Why Men of the greatest Capacity are frequently obServed to be more eminently virtuous or wicked. XVI. A Confideration refpecting Mankind in general. XVII. The Levity of the Heart, how occafioned. XVIII. Why Men of Parts fometimes very ignorant in refpect to the Principles of Morality. XIX, XX. We are most affected with Things prefent, and which actually pleafe. XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV. The Method Method, whereby the Caufes of F the Laws of moral Virtue have that Force to oblige Men to Obedience, and to oblige under thofe Sanctions we have afcribed to them, they ought, you will fay, to be written in fuch fair and legible Characters, that all Men, on every Occafion, may confult and apply them. For a Law, the Sense or Design whereof is not clear and intelligible, is, in Effect no Law. Men cannot follow a Light, which they do not fee; or practife an unknown Duty: And yet it may be faid, that Morality changes, in refpect to Times and Places; that is Morality, under the Notion, it is frequently understood and explained, as a received Rule for the Conduct of human Life; From whence fome have concluded, there is no fixed or certain Standard of Morality; but that the Rules of it are different and mutable, according to the different Tempers, Opinions, or Circumstances of Men. So that what is reputed decent, praiseworthy, and of good Report ( all Characters of moral Virtue) at one Time, or in one Place; at another Time, and in another Place, may be thought unbecoming, difhonourable and infamous; the proper Characters on the other Hand, of moral Evil. II. The Truth of this Obfervation is not denied; but we deny the Consequence, that Men would draw from it. It might, with equal Pretence be alledged, that there are no ftanding Laws to Men, Men, for the Government of civil Society, for the Direction of their Conduct in it; or the Decifion of thofe Differences, which may arise among them; because the Sense of thofe Laws is fometimes perverted,and misapplied,contrary to the real Intention, and fometimes to the very Letter of them. All,therefore, we can infer from that Variety, which is obfervable among different Perfons and different Nations, with refpect to their moral Conduct, is, that they do not attend, as they ought, to the Rule of it; or that they will not fee the Reasons, according to which it ought to be explained; thofe Reafons being oppofite to fome prevailing Paffion, Habit, or Interest wherewith they are affected. And how far fuch Prepoffeffions are of Force to blind the Eyes; to cor rupt |