The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

5. The last ground I shall mention is, the absurdity and inconvenience of the Contrary.

And this is the most proper way of proving this; for as Aristotle tells us, First Principles which are evident by their own light, cannot be proved by way of demonstration, but of conviction; As thus; contradictions cannot be true at once; This cannot be demonstrated a priori, because ⟨p. 256⟩there is nothing true before it to prove it by; therefore whoever shall deny it, must be convinced of the truth of it, by showing the absurdities of the contrary. In like manner this being one of the first Principles of humane society, that we should use no more liberty towards other men, than we would allow them to use towards us; the best way to convince any man of the reasonableness and equity of it, will be to show him the inconveniences of the contrary. Where-ever this Principle is violated, men will think themselves injured; where men are injured, they will be apt to vindicate themselves; hence comes contention and wars, which loose the bands of humane society; or if a man can pardon an injury, that hath received one, yet he that hath done it cannot believe so, but he will fear revenge, and fear of being oppressed, makes a man seek to anticipate and prevent another, so that every injury endangers the peace and security of mankind, and lays the foundation of perpetual mischief; for by the same reason that I injure any man, I am obliged to ruin him.

And this is the most proper way of proving this; for as Aristotle tells us, First Principles which are evident by their own light, cannot bee proved by way of demonstration, but of conviction; As thus; contradictions cannot bee true at once; This cannot be demonstrated a priori, because ⟨p. 256⟩there is nothing true before it to prove it by; therefore whoever shall deny it, must bee convinced of the truth of it, by shewing the absurdities of the contrary. In like manner this being one of the first Principles of humane society, that wee should use no more liberty towards other men, than wee would allow them to use towards us; the best way to convince any man of the reasonableness and equity of it, will bee to shew him the inconveniences of the contrary. Where-ever this Principle is violated, men will think themselves injured; where men are injured, they will bee apt to vindicate themselves; hence comes contention and warrs, which loose the bands of humane society; or if a man can pardon an injury, that hath received one, yet hee that hath done it cannot beleeve so, but hee will fear revenge, and fear of being opprest, makes a man seek to anticipate and prevent another, so that every injury endangers the peace and security of mankind, and laies the foundation of perpetual mischief; for by the same reason that I injure any man, I am obliged to ruine him.