Having in some former Discourses established and cleared the Foundations of Religion, I shall proceed to raise the Superstructure. That God is the Maker of the World; that he observes our moral Actions, and will require an Account of them in the future state, and distribute eternal Recompenses accordingly, has been proved by such invincible Evidence that Reason cannot resist. It follows therefore that Religion is necessary both for the honour of God, and in order to the happiness of Man. For we cannot conceive, but that the wise Creator in making all ⟨p. 4⟩things, designed his own Glory, both in the manifestation of his own Perfections, and that they should be acknowledged and reverenced, loved and praised by intelligent Creatures. This is a natural duty, to which Mankind with an unforced consent agrees. For, as Honour in the general is the homage paid to conspicuous Excellencies, and specially to beneficent Virtues; so Religion, that is the highest Honour, is justly due to God, the most Sovereign Being in all Perfections, and our Sovereign Benefactor. And 'tis equally clear that the happiness of Man depends on Religion. For if God regards the Actions of Men, not to have a naked speculative knowledge of them, but with an Eye of Providence and Judgment; if He will accept and reward our services ⟨p. 5⟩not as profitable to Him, but as the just expressions of our love, thankfulness, and obedience to Him, 'tis requisite our prime care should be to serve Him. In this the greatest Duty and supreme Interest of Men are inviolably united: for what obligation can possibly be equal to that of pleasing our Maker and Preserver? and what is comparable to the Interest of Eternity? From hence there is a general inclination in Men to worship the Deity, imprest from the Author of Nature; but the ways are diverse. Religion changes its shape in several Countries, and the Rites that are observed by some Nations as sacred, are rejected by others as impious, or vain. Now, in this variety of Religions, and every one contrary to the other, 'tis necessary to consider which is ⟨p. 6⟩that special Way of serving God that is only pleasing to Him. If a Traveller be distracted between several Ways, he will enquire which leads to his Journeys end, and not go on with uncertainty. And is it not infinitely reasonable to do that in the most important Affair, which any person will do in the most ordinary?
HAving in some former Discourses establish't and clear'd the Foundations of Religion, I shall proceed to raise the Superstructure. That God is the Maker of the World; that he observes our moral Actions, and will require an Account of them in the future state, and distribute eternal Recompences accordingly, has been proved by such invincible Evidence that Reason cannot resist. It follows therefore that Religion is necessary both for the honour of God, and in order to the happiness of Man. For we cannot conceive, but that the wise Creator in making all ⟨p. 4⟩things, design'd his own Glory, both in the manifestation of his own Perfections, and that they should be acknowledg'd and reverenc'd, loved and prais'd by intelligent Creatures. This is a natural duty, to which Mankind with an unforc'd consent agrees. For, as Honour in the general is the homage paid to conspicuous Excellencies, and specially to beneficent Vertues; so Religion, that is the highest Honour, is justly due to God, the most Sovereign Being in all Perfections, and our Sovereign Benefactor. And 'tis equally clear that the happiness of Man depends on Religion. For if God regards the Actions of Men, not to have a naked speculative knowledg of them, but with an Eye of Providence and Judgment; if He will accept and reward our services ⟨p. 5⟩not as profitable to Him, but as the just expressions of our love, thankfulness, and obedience to Him, 'tis requisite our prime care should be to serve Him. In this the greatest Duty and supream Interest of Men are inviolably united: for what obligation can possibly be equal to that of pleasing our Maker and Preserver? and what is comparable to the Interest of Eternity? From hence there is a general inclination in Men to worship the Deity, imprest from the Author of Nature; but the ways are diverse. Religion changes its shape in several Countries, and the Rites that are observed by some Nations as sacred, are rejected by others as impious, or vain. Now, in this variety of Religions, and every one contrary to the other, 'tis necessary to consider which is ⟨p. 6⟩that special Way of serving God that is only pleasing to Him. If a Traveller be distracted between several Wayes, he will enquire which leads to his Journeys end, and not go on with uncertainty. And is it not infinitely reasonable to do that in the most important Affair, which any person will do in the most ordinary?
