The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…

Answ. Those Confederacies would no further oblige them, than their Interest required them to observe them. Still by this rule a man is left free to kill wife and children; if he be weary of them, which no neighbour, being wronged by none, will seem obliged to revenge: still he that is the stronger is left to do his worst, without fault, to seize upon other mens estates, and to depose Kings and destroy them, and all the world would be in a state of war. Or if self-interest keep some quiet for a time, it would be but till they had strength and opportunity to do otherwise. He is not fit for humane society, who would tell all about him [I take my self free to defraud and murder any of you, as soon as my own safety and interest will allow it me.] And no man that thus taketh a man for a beast, can expect any better usage than a beast himself, any further than self-love shall restrain others from abusing him: nor can he plead any better title to his estate, nor exemption from the violence of the stronger. And it will ⟨p. 53⟩also follow, that honesty is nothing but self-preserving policy; and that blasphemy and impiety against God need not be feared or avoided; nor any thing as a fault, but only as a folly, exposing the person himself to danger. Incest, Perjury, Lying, might be impudencies, but not any crimes.

Obj. If you supposed them in God, they would be but imperfections, and not crimes, and why should you judge otherwise of them in Man.

Obj. If you supposed them in God, they would be but imperfections, and not crimes, and why should you judge othewise of them in Man.

Answ. Because the absolute perfection of his Nature is instead of a Law to God, who hath no Superior. But man hath a Superior, and hath an imperfect nature, which is therefore to be regulated by the wisdom and will of that perfect Superior.