A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

There is yet amongst them another Image of a General Principle, no less horrid than that before mentioned, and that with respect unto Religious Obedience. It is the great foundation of all Religion, and in especial of Christian Religion, That God in all things is to be obeyed absolutely and universally. Of all our Obedience; there is no other Reason, but that it is his Will, and is known unto us so to be. This follows necessarily from the infinite Perfections of the Divine Nature. As the first Essential Verity he is to be believed in what he reveals above, and against all contradiction from pretended Reasons, or any Imaginations whatever; and as he is the only absolute Independent Being, Essential Goodness, and the Sovereign Lord of all things, he is without further Reason, Motive, or Inducement, to be absolutely obeyed in all his Commands. An Instance whereof we have in Abraham offering his only Son without dispute or hesitation, in compliance with a Divine Revelation and Command.

It will seem very difficult to frame an Image hereof amongst men, with whom there is not the least shadow of these Divine Perfections, namely, Essential Verity, and absolute Sovereignty, in conjunction with infinite Wisdom and Goodness, which alone renders such an Obedience lawful, useful, or suitable unto the Principles of our rational Natures: But these of whom we speak, have not been wanting unto themselves herein, especially the principal Craftmen of this Image-Trade. The Order of the Jesuits have made a bold Attempt for the framing of it. Their Vow of blind Obedience (as they call it) unto their Superiors, whereto they resign the whole conduct of their Souls, in all the concernments of Religion, in all Duties toward God and man, unto their Guidance and Disposal, is a cursed Image of this absolute Obedience unto the Commands of God, which he requireth of us. Hence the Founder of their Order, was not ashamed in his Epistle ad Fratres Lusitanos, to urge and press this blind Obedience from the Example of Abraham yielding Obedience unto God, without debate or consideration; as if the Superiors of the Order were Good and not Evil and Sinful men.

It will seem very difficult to frame an Image hereof amongst men, with whom there is not the least shadow of these Divine Perfections, namely, Essential Verity, and absolute Sovereignty, in conjunction with infinite Wisdom and Goodness, which alone renders such an Obedience lawful, useful, or suitable unto the Principles of our rational Natures: But these of whom we speak, have not been wanting unto themselves herein, especially the principal Craftmen of this Image-Trade. The Order of the Jesuites have made a bold Attempt for the framing of it. Their Vow of blind Obedience (as they call it) unto their Superiors, whereto they resign the whole conduct of their Souls, in all the concernments of Religion, in all Duties toward God and man, unto their Guidance and Disposal, is a cursed Image of this absolute Obedience unto the Commands of God, which he requireth of us. Hence the Founder of their Order, was not ashamed in his Epistle ad Fratres Lusitanos, to urge and press this blind Obedience from the Example of Abraham yielding Obedience unto God, without debate or consideration; as if the Superiors of the Order were Good and not Evil and Sinful men.