Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1787 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAP. X. . The Account of Morality given in this Treatise, applied to the Explication and proof of some of the principal DoSlrines of Natural Religion; particularly, the moral Attributes of God, his moral Government', and a future State of Rewards and Pu DEGREES nifiments, ..!.-..: '..': .: i vv. I BEFORE I enter on the subjects to be considered in this chapter, I shall beg the reader's patience and attention while I recapitulate part of what has been hitherto said in thjs treatise; and, at the same. time, endeavour to set before him in one view, and the distinctest manner, the whole state of the controversy about the foundation of virtue. .; .. . sTis 'Tis discouraging to think of the confusion which is occasioned in most debates and enquiries, by the ambiguous senses of words. Were it possible for us to understand precisely one another's meaning, to observe accurately our different views, and to communicate our naked and genuine sentiments to one another, without being -under the necessity of having them more or less mistaken, through the imperfections of language ., we should find, that there are few or no points on which we differ so much as we seem to do. Many questions there are which have been, for many ages, controverted with great zeal, though the disputants on both sides have, in reality, all along meant much the fame, and been nearly agreed, as far as they had ideas. I fay, as far as they had ideas; for it is certain, that there is nothing that the generality of men want more s and that a controversy may become very tedious and voluminous, while neither party have any determinate opinions about the subject of it, but their zeal and contention are entirely for or against a set of phrases. This evil will never be cured, till men le
